Drought – What government is doing

Alberta relies on melting snow and rain for most of its water. Alberta’s government is closely monitoring snowpack, rainfall, river levels and water use throughout the province through a network of water and snowpack monitoring stations.

Based on how much snow and rain the province receives, government will work together with partners and water users to help the province manage and conserve water.

A summary of current conditions across the province can be found at:

• Drought – Current conditions
• Alberta River Basins
• Alberta Rivers: Data and Advisories (Alberta Rivers App)

Officials continue to work with water licence holders, major water users, municipalities and other partners to address water shortage issues and respond to drought conditions as they arise.

Many industrial operations use significant amounts of water. As with other licence holders, government officials are working with them to develop water conservation plans, if needed.

Industry was included in the province’s work to collaboratively determine the most effective and fair adjustments to current water sharing agreements to optimize use of water.

Government continues to work closely with the agricultural community to help them prepare for possible drought conditions in the years ahead. 

See:

• Farming in dry conditions

Budget 2024 includes $125 million over 5 years for a new Drought and Flood Protection Program to help vulnerable municipalities and Indigenous communities across the province develop the long-term infrastructure needed to improve their drought and flood resilience and adapt to severe weather.

The Drought and Flood Protection Program will help fund the design and construction of projects that protect critical infrastructure from flooding and drought and help to ensure public safety is protected.
Learn more about the program, including eligibility and application details:

•  Drought and Flood Protection Program

Alberta’s government is looking at what long-term infrastructure is needed to help manage water supplies for future generations and help reduce the risks of future drought.

Budget 2024 includes more than $35 million to help maximize how water is used and help prevent future droughts from affecting communities. Creating a 21st century water-management system and healthy, thriving wetlands and watersheds will provide long-term drought protection and help the economy continue to grow.

In late 2024 and early 2025, we heard from hundreds of Albertans about opportunities or barriers that can be addressed to enhance the water management system in Alberta and make more water available to use for years to come.

In the coming months, the conversation will continue about potential new or updated policy and regulatory tools that could be used to increase water availability for Albertans and optimize the water management system. 

For more details, see:

• Water availability engagement
   

Included as part of the $35 million in Budget 2024 is $8.7 million for the Wetland Replacement Program and $3.5 million for the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program to improve Alberta’s natural drought protection.
Wetlands are a vital part of Alberta’s ecological landscape. The Wetland Replacement Program helps re-establish wetlands by funding collaborative wetland restoration projects with municipalities and non-profit organizations across the province.

The Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program provides grant funding for projects that promote the ongoing stewardship and preservation of Alberta's watersheds and enhance the ability of our communities to withstand severe weather events, like flooding or drought.

For more information about these programs, see:

• Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program
• Wetland Replacement Program
   

Alberta is growing. More people than ever live here and our economy is thriving. This puts pressure on limited water supplies, especially in the southern part of the province.

Alberta is assessing the potential of building new reservoirs to:

• help reduce the risks from droughts, water shortages and floods
• support a strong economy for years to come

Learn more about reservoir studies and projects underway at:

• Improving water storage

Alberta is also investing in technology that will result in new and better ways to manage, conserve and use water. Alberta’s largest innovation agency, Alberta Innovates, has invested more than $75 million through its Water Innovation Program, supporting 101 completed projects, with 65 more in the works.

Alberta’s Water Advisory Committee is helping the province respond to drought and work to make every drop count.

The six-person committee includes leaders with experience in water-use issues concerning:

• agriculture
• irrigation
• Indigenous people and communities
• industry
• rural communities
• urban communities

The Water Advisory Committee acts as an independent sounding board guiding government support of communities, farmers and ranchers, and businesses who share, conserve and manage water during a potential drought. The committee gives advice directly to Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.

• News release: New drought advisory committee for Alberta

The province stood up a Drought Command Team to prepare for drought and work with water users. Led by Environment and Protected Areas, the team included experts from:

• Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation
• Municipal Affairs
• Public Safety and Emergency Services

The Drought Command Team also connected with other key players like the Alberta Energy Regulator.

In April 2024, major water users in the South Saskatchewan River Basin signed water-sharing agreements to help mitigate the risk of severe drought. The agreements were in place until the end of the year.

These agreements represented the largest water-sharing initiative in Alberta’s history, allowing the province to make the most of limited water supplies and reducing the impacts that a severe drought could potentially have on Albertans and our communities, environment and economy.

Water-sharing agreements led to collaboration in real-time and significant water savings in 2024. They also provide a successful model that can be used to help address drought conditions in the future, if necessary.

There were 4 water-sharing agreements, one to cover each of the following sub-basins: the Red Deer River, the Bow River, the mainstem of the Oldman River and the upper tributaries of the Oldman River. Thirty-eight major water users signed on to one of the agreements.

Alberta’s government began meeting with major water users and other key stakeholders in the South Saskatchewan River Basin (Red Deer, Bow and Old Man basins) in February 2024. The finalization process for these agreements and next steps were outlined in a letter from Minister Schulz to participating organizations and other stakeholders at the end of March.

• Letter from Minister Schulz regarding finalization of water-sharing agreements (March 28, 2024)

Over 50 organizations participated in the project either as a potential signatory or as an observer, including all irrigation districts, TransAlta, Treaty 7 First Nations, various municipalities and ENGOs. The negotiation of water-sharing agreements was part of a larger effort to ensure water licence holders and all Albertans are well prepared for drought.