The Alberta government has updated its 2024 Drought Response plan and has released a map to help Albertans better understand and respond to drought conditions.
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.
“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,” said 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.
The Red Deer River Basin is at Stage 3. Its water sharing Agreements have not been activated. Its water Supply Outlook Forecast is rated as average. The Gleniffer Reservoir’s (Dickson Dam) current storage is 97%. Normal for this time of year is between 90% and 95%.
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.
