Alberta government announces support for communities against drought and floods

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Officials further point out that water supply and storage infrastructure will be expanded and watershed health improved so growing communities have the water they need, even during periods of drought.

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“Investing in drought and flood protection keeps communities safe, while allowing them to continue to grow and thrive. This helps ensure safe and reliable access to water while making Alberta more resilient to extreme weather events,” says Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, in a press release Wednesday.

Alberta’s government says it is investing $125 million over five years into the Drought and Flood Protection Program. Last year, officials say the government delivered millions to counties, towns, cities and Indigenous partners for infrastructure projects, which are now underway. In total, $75 million is said to have now been invested in 40 projects through the program.

Highlights from this round of Drought and Flood Protection Program funding include:

• The Municipal District of Pincher Creek will make improvements to the Therriault Dam’s emergency spillway to ensure safe operation during a 100-year flood. Phase 2 of the project will explore ways to use water more efficiently to increase agricultural production.
• The Town of Drumheller will purchase Tiger Dams and other flood mitigation equipment for temporary use to provide additional protection during a flood emergency.
• Water supply capacity, storage and reliability will be improved in Foothills County, the Town of Okotoks, Mountain View County, Sylvan Lake and the Municipal District of Smoky River.
• Chronic issues with drainage and overland flooding will be addressed in Sexsmith, the Municipal District of Taber and on Samson Cree Nation, Alexander First Nation and Whitefish Lake First Nation.

In the Municipal District of Pincher Creek, the Therriault Dam Flood and Drought Protection Project includes improvements to the Therriault Dam emergency spillway and dam crest to mitigate the design flood event and studying ways to mitigate drought impacts, increase water use efficiency and support agricultural production using the Therriault Dam’s existing water licenses. The approved Flood & Drought grant for the MD of Pincher Creek is $1,222,731.

Officials say all approved projects will be cost-shared, with the Government of Alberta covering up to 70 per cent of total eligible costs and the grant recipient(s) covering the remaining 30 per cent. All funds will be provided in 2026-27.

“Because we’re in the headwaters of the Oldman River basin, our municipality feels the impacts of both drought and flooding,” states Rick Lamire, reeve, Municipal District of Pincher Creek. “Drought and Flood Protection Program funding has been important in helping us manage those risks responsibly. This year’s funding will help protect our largest reservoir during flood years and help us make plans to use our water wisely during dry times, especially for our agricultural community.”

In the Municipal District of Taber, the MD of Taber Critical Access and Flood Mitigation Crossings project is planned to upgrade two rural road crossings at Township Road 9-4 and 10-0 to improve runoff conveyance. Concrete box culverts and erosion protection will be installed at each location to reduce erosion and ensure the crossings remain passable during high water conditions. The flood grant is for $1,932,020.

“As the managing partner of the Southern Regional Storm Drainage Committee – representing eight southern Alberta municipalities alongside the St. Mary River Irrigation District – the Municipal District of Taber is sincerely grateful for these funding approvals,” shares Tamara Miyanaga, reeve, Municipal District of Taber. “These investments will strengthen watershed resiliency, enhance flood protection and support long-term water security for municipal drinking water, recreation, and agri-food production across the region. Most notably, this funding will significantly advance the Southern Regional Storm Drainage Committee toward completion of the critical final construction phase of the Horsefly Regional Emergency Spillway Project.”

Provincial officials say grants through the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program will support work to restore critical wetland and riparian areas and keep Alberta’s watersheds healthy and resilient so they can better hold water during times of flooding or drought.

New projects include:

• Two wetland complexes will be restored in the Municipal District of Taber as part of a larger project to manage local drainage and runoff issues.
• The Riparian Management Society (Cows and Fish) will assess riparian health at six lakes west of Edmonton, with the restoration of degraded wetlands, riparian areas, shores and floodplains in priority areas.
• Rocky View County, Alberta Conservation Association, North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance, Starland County, Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association and Red Deer County will work with private landowners to restore streambanks and shorelines and implement best management practices at multiple sites in the North Saskatchewan, South Saskatchewan and Red Deer river basins.
• Training on restoration techniques will be provided for community members on Kapawe’no First Nation and volunteers with the Wabamun Watershed Management Council.

Alberta government quick facts

• Six municipalities, three First Nations communities and two regional service commissions will receive Drought and Flood Protection Program funding for new projects. Funds will be paid out in 2026-27.
  • Program eligibility was expanded in the fall to include regional service commissions and tribal councils.
  • The next round of funding applications will open in October, with $25 million available to protect businesses, families and communities.
• Five municipalities, two First Nations and five environmental non-government organizations received grants through the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program in 2026.
  • More than 90 different organizations have received over $55 million to support more than 200 projects over the program’s history.
  • The program has helped support the restoration and conservation of 5,400 hectares of wetlands as well as more than 2,300 hectares of riparian areas covering more than 320 kilometres of streambank.