The provincial government has downgraded the drought response stage the Red Deer River water basin is in as well as others across the province due to improved conditions since the spring.
In May, the Alberta government released the 2024 Drought Response Plan with the entire province placed in stage 4, the second-highest stage of response.
“Since then, some areas have seen significant rains, while others are still experiencing droughts and water shortages. With conditions varying, a more targeted approach is needed,” the province said in a press release issued Wednesday.
A new, updated Drought Response Plan has been enacted that classifies drought stages by river basin and better reflects the conditions in each region, says the province.
It assigns each region a ranking from stage 0 (no drought conditions) to stage 5 (urgent and critical escalation of drought conditions leading to a water emergency declared under the Water Act).
The Red Deer River basin has been downgraded to stage 3 (priority call management).
“With decreasing supply, the likelihood of receiving a priority call from a licensee, registrant and/or household user is expected,” the criteria for stage 3 says.
Under the stage, assessment and administration of water priority is undertaken along with assessment and enhanced management of inter-provincial water apportionment.
At this point, the water sharing memorandum of understanding agreed to by numerous water users in the basin, including Mountain View Regional Water Services Commission, Red Deer County and others, has not been activated since struck.
The Oldman and Milk River basins remain at stage 4 due to very dry conditions. However, the other basins have been downgraded to stage 0, 1, 2 or 3 to reflect their current moisture levels.
No basins are at stage 5.
The province says it continues monitoring drought conditions closely across Alberta.
