M.D. advised about drought planning

By Rob Vogt
Although recent snowfall is a welcome relief, planning is underway throughout Alberta for the drought that is coming in the spring.
At its Jan. 10 meeting, the council reviewed a letter from Rebecca Schulze, minister of Environment and Protected Areas, about the water situation in the province.
“Alberta is currently in a significant drought,“ Schulze wrote. “During summer 2023, several water basins reached critical drought conditions due to low rainfall and high temperatures. The world is also experiencing El Niño, a global phenomenon occurring for the first time in seven years. It’s causing less snow and rain, along with higher temperatures, heightening the potential for significant drought into spring and summer 2024, particularly in southern Alberta.”
She noted Alberta has five stages in its water management plan. Ranging from Stage 1, which is a minor drought, to Stage 5, which is a province-wide emergency.
“We are currently in Stage 4,” Schulze said. “The Government of Alberta is closely monitoring the situation and working to be prepared in case the province faces a similar – or worse – drought next year.”
She explained staff from Environment and Protected Areas, along with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, are working with water licence holders, major water users, and other partners to develop water conservation plans and water-sharing agreements.
A Drought Command Team has been created in the event of an emergency and an early first draft of a 2024 drought emergency plan has been completed and is now being refined.
“We have also initiated drought modelling work that will allow the province to determine how to maximize the province’s water supply,” Schulze said. “Alberta is considering a wide range of tools and approaches to respond to an emergency situation, including both regulatory and non-regulatory tools.
“The province will also be striking an advisory panel of leaders to help provide advice in the months ahead. And we are preparing for the future, looking at what long-term infrastructure is needed to help manage water supplies for future generations.”
“However, municipal action is also needed,”  Schulze stressed. “In order to be fully prepared for a severe drought, municipal leaders throughout Alberta will need to take action.”
She asked the following be undertaken by municipalities in the coming months:
1) Initiate efforts to monitor water supply infrastructure proactively, paying particular attention to water intake relative to water levels.
2) Begin a review of the terms of the municipality’s water licence so they are aware of any conditions limiting their ability to withdraw water during a drought.
3) Alert municipal water managers to prepare to be engaged with officials from the Drought Command Team, should conditions within the municipal water licence need to be triggered.
4) Develop a water shortage plan so the municipality is prepared to respond if water availability decreases.
“We are asking all water users to start planning now to use less water in 2024,” Schulze said. “We are committed to providing information and supporting any additional conservation efforts that your municipality may adopt in the future.”
She encouraged them to stay up-to-date on precipitation and water levels through the Alberta Rivers app or the Alberta Rivers Basins web page at rivers.alberta.ca.
To learn more about the impacts of drought on communities and the principles for sound water management, Schulze invited everyone to please visit alberta.ca/drought.
“Environment and Protected Areas would like to hear from your water management staff on perceived risks of drought in 2024, what impacts it could have on your operations, and how your municipality plans to mitigate risks,” Schulze said. “Alberta has navigated many droughts before and has a long, proud history of coming together during tough times. I know we can count on our municipal partners to work together in the face of adversity.”
Reeve Maryanne Sandberg said she attended a recent meeting of mayors and reeves of Southern Alberta where they saw a video on drought management.
“They’re definitely talking about it,” she said. “Planning is under way.”
The key message is to be prepared.
“Everyone has to be willing to do their share,” Sandberg said.