Southern Alberta remains at stage 4 of 5 for drought watch

Posted on August 22, 2024 by Ryan Dahlman

Southern Alberta Newspapers

Drought status has been lowered in much of Alberta after the entire province was considered at very high risk of water supply shortage a year ago, but Medicine Hat and much of the deep southern portions are unchanged.

The Milk River and Oldman system, including the South Saskatchewan River, remained at “Stage 4” of five stages, the province announced Aug. 14.

The Bow and Red Deer were lowered to Stage 3, while areas further north are either 1 or 2.

A rating of zero denotes no drought concerns.

In May, the province announced a series of voluntary water sharing agreements – essentially voluntary reduction among major water users, including industry, irrigation districts and municipalities – in case transfers were needed and to potentially avoid the need for priority licensing to come into effect.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas said the change in levels “better reflects” the situation in various locations.

“Drought classifications will be updated as needed based on the weather conditions, water supply and demand,” reads a release. “Regardless of drought stage, all Albertans are encouraged to consider ways to use water wisely.”

The South Saskatchewan River is considered to be at the very low end of typically normal flow levels after dipping below that level in early August.

Levels in the normal range were recorded throughout July after well-below normal levels in June.

The water level forecast update for August still predicts much-below average levels through September on the Bow, Oldman, South Saskatchewan and Milk river systems.

A water shortage advisory for Milk River states there is a severe shortage following a break in water diversion infrastructure in Montana.