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Information on flood hazards

Provincial government launches flood mapping studies in 10 communities

May 29, 2026 | 5:08 PM

The Government of Alberta have launched new flood mapping studies this spring that they say will provide detailed information on flood hazards.

The studies will produce about 260 kilometres of new or updated flood mapping for 10 communities, such as Barrhead, Birchwood Village Greens, Didsbury, Driftpile, Eckville, Jarvie, Radway, Rosebud, Sucker Creek, and Westward Ho.

This is on top of the nearly 600 kilometres already underway in the province.

The government has budgeted $2.76 million in 2026-27 and $1.288 million in 2027-28 to carry out flood mapping work.

The province says flood mapping is crucial to understand where it’s safe to farm, safe to build and how to best prepare for emergencies.

“New and updated flood mapping helps keep Albertans safe from the potentially devastating impacts of flooding,” said Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “I’m very proud of the great work done by our government in recent years, and there’s so much more to come.”

The province added that having a visual representation that shows what neighbourhoods may flood, what critical infrastructure may be at risk, and which roads may soon no longer be accessible is essential to ensure public safety in the event of a flood.

“The Town of Didsbury is appreciative of the work being done by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas in mapping floodplain data,” said Chris Little, mayor, Town of Didsbury. “Studies such as these are a vital part of due diligence for development in any community, as far as informing safe development of neighbourhoods around bodies of water.”

Approximately 330 kilometres of mapping will be released for public engagement in June, covering Edson, Garden River, Grande Prairie, Kinuso, Lacombe, Lamont, Manning, Millet, Paddle Prairie, Peers, Ponoka, Robb and Watino.

Meanwhile, technical work is complete for approximately 250 kilometres of mapping covering Carbon, Chateh, Crowsnest Pass, Lethbridge, Rycroft, Thorsby and Two Hills. The draft reports and maps will be shared with local authorities for review this summer, with public engagement to follow. Finalization is expected in the spring of 2027.