Red Deer River (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti) 

By Alessia Proietti

memorandums of understanding

City of Red Deer says they are ready if drought arrives

Apr 16, 2024 | 6:21 PM

The City of Red Deer says they are ready for a possible drought.

At their meeting on Monday, city council received an update from Utility Services on the current state of drought in the province, how the City is preparing, and the Government of Alberta water sharing agreements.

The City participated in three days of workshops over the months of February and March to discuss water-sharing and drought prevention measures in the South Saskatchewan River Basin.

Administration said they intend to have a water sharing memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between larger users within each subbasin this week. They say more information about the agreements will be shared by the province in the coming days.

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Officials say Alberta is experiencing drought in many parts of the province due to a below average snowpack in winter 2022-23, which meant less runoff filling rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and below average precipitation in most areas during the spring and summer of 2023. They say this is contributing to water shortage in some parts of the province, especially in southern Alberta. The province is currently in water shortage management stage four (out of five), where multiple water management areas are impacted by water shortage.

The Government of Alberta has indicated that there is some concern about the Red Deer River Watershed, which currently has below normal reservoir levels and instream flows.

The City says the Watershed areas monitored are the Glennifer Reservoir, which is trending below normal levels, Dickson Dam outflow, and snow pillow from the Limestone Ridge, which is above normal , and Snoki Lodge, within normal.

“While the conditions in the Red Deer Rivershed are currently not as dire as in other parts of the province, it’s important to note that conditions can change, and that water is a shared resource across the province,” said Alex Monkman, Water Superintendent. “With a predicted dry spring and summer, it’s critical that we are proactive and ready to respond.”

Administration noted the long-range forecast for 2024 continues to indicate a 70 per cent chance of a strong El Nino, meaning warm and dry conditions, with 40-60 per cent chance of above normal temperatures, creating minimal precipitation and snowpack forecast.

The City says they are preparing a Drought Management Plan to proactively respond to drought conditions and the need for water restrictions in the community. The plan considers internal and external responses as well as how they will collaborate with regional partners and stakeholders.

“The Government of Alberta has told us that communities along the Red Deer River should be prepared for outdoor water restrictions, most likely starting in June,” said Monkman. “Our voluntary restrictions will start in May, along with our water conservation and rebate programs. We’ll continue to keep the community updated on further restrictions.”

City Manager Tara Lodewyk said they will need to increase public education as previous water restrictions like odd housing strategies were ineffective, with residents double watering when it was their day for outdoor watering.

For more information about the City’s response to drought, visit reddeer.ca/drought or see the FAQ.

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