(Dreamstime)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

driest in many years

Alberta seeks to prepare for another potential drought season

Dec 2, 2023 | 2:11 PM

Alberta’s government is issuing a request for proposal (RFP) to enhance drought modelling and help the province prepare for 2024.

The announcement comes after the province had more than a dozen communities declare agricultural disasters this year due to the lack of moisture. Those include the County of Stettler and Kneehill County.

This year’s drought was caused by a lack of rain and early depletion of mountain snow, the province notes. It hasn’t helped that precipitation has remained below average through the fall.

The RFP is intended to allow working alongside municipalities, water users, industry and others to explore ways to maximize the province’s water supply, if needed.

“When it comes to water, we are all in this together,” says Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “We cannot make it rain or snow, but we are preparing in case the province faces water shortages next year. This RFP will help complement the work my department already has underway to ensure that we make the most out of every drop in the coming months.”

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Drought has severely affected Alberta two of the past three years, a release notes.

The province is currently as stage four (of five) of its water shortage management plan. Moving to stage five would mean an emergency declaration under the Water Act.

Quick facts (from the Government of Alberta)

In October, the last month when rivers are completely free of ice, many river stations in Alberta experienced record low average monthly flows.

• Bow River at Calgary was the second lowest it has been since 2000.
• Elbow River at Bragg Creek was the lowest it has been since 2000.
• Sheep River at Black Diamond was the second lowest it has been since 2000.
• Willow Creek near Claresholm was the lowest it has been since 2000.
• Oldman River at Lethbridge was the third lowest it has been since 2000.
• South Saskatchewan River at Medicine Hat was the second lowest it has been since 2000.
• Peace River at Peace River was the lowest it has been since 2000.

The RFP webpage is viewable here.

To learn more, visit alberta.ca/drought.

READ MORE

• Drought relief support for livestock producers
• County of Stettler declares Agricultural Disaster due to drought