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By rdnewsNOW staff

Over $30 Million Investment

Province aiming to protect communities from drought and floods

Aug 6, 2024 | 2:13 PM

The Alberta government says it is investing more than $30 million into community-led projects that will protect public safety and critical infrastructure from drought and floods.

Provincial officials say drought and floods can damage homes and businesses, disrupt critical infrastructure and, in extreme scenarios, pose a serious threat to public safety. In recent years, officials acknowledge that the impacts of drought and flooding have been felt across Alberta.

To help communities, Alberta’s government says it is investing more than $30 million through the Drought and Flood Protection Program to support drought and flood mitigation projects in 14 municipalities, two First Nations and one Metis settlement. The funding is expected to help communities access water during extreme low flows and protect critical infrastructure while helping homes and businesses stay dry in the event of floods.

“Albertans know all too well the devastating effects of drought and flooding,” says Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “Communities in virtually all regions in our province have had recent experience dealing with these challenges. That’s why we are funding high-priority projects across Alberta, from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement in the north to Pincher Creek and Coaldale in the south.”

“We are investing in projects that will help protect homes, businesses and lives,” adds Schulz.

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“Our government is committed to protecting Albertans and our communities from the impacts of floods and drought,” states RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. “This funding will help support the resiliency of our water management infrastructure in order to mitigate risks, reduce the disastrous effects of floods and drought, and ensure that Albertans consistently have a safe supply of water available.”

Officials note, the Drought and Flood Protection Program was launched earlier this year to help communities design and construct projects that protect critical infrastructure from drought and flooding and help ensure public safety is protected.

“Alberta Municipalities welcomes the Government of Alberta’s investments in helping to mitigate the effects of natural disasters,” shares Tyler Gandam, President, Alberta Municipalities. “Funding from the Province that will be used to protect Alberta’s communities from droughts and floods eases the financial burden on the already stretched budgets of local governments. Our member-municipalities know best how to invest in local infrastructure projects, so we appreciate these funds being made available for direct application to the most pressing needs.”

“Municipalities face unique challenges managing droughts and floods,” explains Paul McLauchlin, President of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta. “The RMA welcomes the Drought and Flood Protection Program and the benefit it will bring to rural municipalities, with $10 million of the total funding being directed to rural projects. Funding to support capital projects that improve a municipality’s ability to manage droughts or floods is critical for the long-term success of our communities.”

The government says the first round of funding will help support critical community upgrades, including:

Installing new raw water intakes in the Crowsnest River so the Municipal District of Pincher Creek can continue accessing water even during extreme drought conditions.

Constructing a new water intake and pumphouse for Fort McKay’s water treatment plant, along with associated infrastructure improvements, to help the system continue operating when river flows are low.

Constructing new stormwater ponds and other stormwater management improvements to increase water storage capacity and reduce the risk of overland flooding in the Coaldale and Brooks region.

Constructing a flood protection berm and additional erosion control to protect Canmore’s wastewater treatments plant and two of the town’s lift stations from flooding on the Bow River.

Improving Stoney Nakoda Nation’s raw water intakes near Morley to upgrade the infiltration gallery and increase withdrawal volumes so that the First Nation can access water more effectively.

According to government officials, Budget 2024 allocated $125 million over five years for the Drought and Flood Protection Program. The next round of applications will open this fall. Municipalities and Indigenous communities across the province can apply for funding to improve their drought and flood resilience and adapt to severe weather.

Alberta government quick facts

Details on all 18 approved grants, including project descriptions, funding totals and disbursements can be found on the Drought and Flood Protection Program webpage.

For applications approved this year, funding totaling $25 million will be paid out in 2024-25 and $5,727,119 will be deferred to 2025-26.

Of the 18 projects receiving funding this year, 10 are focused on responding to the impacts of drought.

Four more rounds of funding are planned under this program, with new applications accepted each year. The application dates and other important information will be posted on the Drought and Flood Protection Program webpage later this summer.

Related information

Drought and Flood Protection Program

Approved projects

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