(Government of Alberta/ screenshot)

By Ian Gustafson

likelihood and risks

New flood maps by provincial government helps communities prepare for the future

May 27, 2025 | 3:55 PM

The Government of Alberta has finalized new flood mapping for multiple communities throughout the province, including in Red Deer.

The map was created to not only raise awareness but also help communities prepare for flooding and respond more effectively.

In Red Deer, the map suggests that the likeliness of a flood along the Red Deer River over the next 30 years is high, however, it’s not a guarantee.

Carol Lind, emergency management coordinator with the City of Red Deer, said the risk of flooding each year is based on the conditions at the time rather than predictions.

“The last few years we’ve had drought conditions so that makes a difference in where that run off is going to. It’s getting soaked up into the ground whereas other years where we would have substantial rainfall, then the runoff would likely accumulate in our reservoirs,” she said. “There’s numerous factors that would contribute to flooding occurring.”

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The city prepares for flooding through a combination of planning, infrastructure, and emergency exercises. They also use flood mapping to identify flood prone areas and conduct vulnerability assessments that provide information on the likelihood of flooding using historical data, typography, modeling, current weather, and drought conditions.

On May 14, the city, along with other municipalities, attended an annual stakeholder orientation meeting at the Dickson Dam. This meeting provided them with information on upgrades at the dam and an opportunity to network with provincial stakeholders.

On May 22, the city also conducted a drill of its watergate system which is a temporary flood barrier that would be used to assist in protecting vulnerable areas. It’s conducted bi-annually and tests the systems functionality.

Right now, the flood risk in Red Deer is low as all of the moisture is being absorbed into the ground.

“If you actually go on to the river basin you can look at the Dickson Dam reservoir and see the conditions are in the normal to low range,” she added.

Meanwhile, the provincial government says Calgary’s flood risk along the Elbow River has been drastically reduced thanks to the recently completed Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir and other projects.

“We committed to protect Calgary and other communities from floods and we are seeing the results,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “These new flood maps are good news for families and businesses, but we are also going to keep investing in reservoirs, berms, updated flood maps and the critical infrastructure needed to keep people and their property safe.”

The maps show significant decreases in major flood risks in many areas of Calgary because if water in the Elbow River rises to dangerous levels, the flow will be diverted into the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir and further reduced by the Glenmore Dam.

To view the new flood maps, visit the Government of Alberta website.