Alberta’s updated drought response plan will help Albertans better understand and respond to drought conditions in their communities.
In May, Alberta released the 2024 Drought Response Plan with the entire province placed in Stage 4, the second-highest stage. Since then, some areas have seen significant rains, while others are still experiencing droughts and water shortages. With conditions varying, a more targeted approach is needed.
Alberta’s government has released a new, updated Drought Response Plan that classifies drought stages by river basin, while continuing to help make sure that Albertans, communities, farmers, ranchers and businesses get the support they need, whatever the weather. The province continues monitoring drought conditions closely across Alberta.
Low water levels seen on the Smoky River near Highway 43 in June.
Low water levels seen on the Smoky River near Highway 43 in June. (Credit: GOA)
“Drought conditions over the last two years have posed real challenges to communities, farmers and ranchers in some parts of the province. We’re working to help improve Alberta’s drought response, now and long into the future, by providing clearer information on local conditions to better manage water use.”
Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
Alberta’s Drought Response Plan is a multi-stage roadmap, covering everything from conservation plans and water-sharing agreements to declaring an emergency and prioritizing water for human health and safety. The plan helps government, irrigators, communities, businesses and others respond quickly and effectively to a wide range of drought conditions.
The updated plan better reflects the conditions in each region. It assigns each region a ranking from Stage 0 (no drought conditions) to Stage 4 (significant drought conditions in multiple water management areas). The Oldman and Milk River basins remain at Stage 4 due to very dry conditions. However, the other basins have been downgraded to Stage 0, 1, 2 or 3 to reflect their current moisture levels. No basins are at Stage 5 (urgent and critical escalation of drought conditions leading to a water emergency declared under the Water Act).
Albertans can now see drought stages and check conditions in their area using the new online map.
Alberta’s government will continue working to support local water users in any and all areas experiencing water issues. Regardless of classification, smaller areas within each basin can still experience water shortages or challenges separate from drought, and officials will provide support wherever needed.
Moving forward, drought classifications will be updated as needed based on the weather conditions, water supply and demand. Regardless of drought stage, all Albertans are encouraged to consider ways to use water wisely. Conserving water is always a good habit and it helps your community, as well as communities downstream.
Quick facts
- The updated Drought Response Plan defines the same five stages of drought as the original plan but adds a Stage 0 for areas not experiencing drought conditions.
- Alberta’s criteria for assessing the severity drought conditions and corresponding management actions has not changed. The only change is that each basin now receives its own specific conditions ranking.
- The Oldman and Milk River basins remain at Stage 4, the drought response stage that previously applied to the entire province.
- The Red Deer and Bow River basins and the southern tributaries of the South Saskatchewan are at Stage 3.
- Areas in the northern half of the province are at Stage 1 or Stage 2, with the exception of the Beaver River basin, which is at Stage 0, meaning there are currently no drought conditions.
- In the future, government may also provide specific condition rankings to other sub-basins if it is needed to help Albertans to understand that drought conditions and response actions significantly differ from the rest of the basin.
- Other revisions to the Drought Response Plan include updates to better align with spring legislative amendments related to responding to an emergency declaration under Section 107 of the Water Act.
- Alberta’s Drought Response Plan is intended to be a living document that is reviewed and routinely updated to better support the effective drought management in the province.
- As of Aug. 14, there are 36 water shortage advisories in place for select water management areas across Alberta.