As Alberta faces drought-like conditions and critical water shortages from low precipitation, the province is set to announce the largest water-sharing agreements in its history.
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schulz, says her team has been negotiating with Alberta’s largest water license holders about voluntarily using less water to ensure enough is available for all.
Thursday’s deadline to complete four water-sharing agreements was originally set for March 31.
Currently, Alberta is in Stage Four of its five-stage water shortage management response plan, and there are 51 water shortage advisories in the province.
Numerous rivers, like the Oldman, Red Deer, and even the Bow, are at a record low levels, and many reservoirs are not meeting capacity expectations.
READ MORE: Alberta government opens water-sharing talks with large users amid worsening drought
Schulz will make her announcement at 9:30 a.m.
Ponoka County councillor Paul McLaughlin, who is also the president of Rural Municipalities Alberta calls the negotiations timely, as this could be year one of a 10-year drought.
Alberta Municipalities, farmers, the energy industry, and wildfire officials, are all considering a wide range of tools and approaches as the drought situation worsens.
Calgary is located in an arid region of southern Alberta and is dependent on its river systems for access to water.
However, since it experiences variations in flow rate over the years, Calgary is vulnerable to seasonal dryness and multi-year drought, with five major droughts occurring within the last century.
The city will give an update on drought preparedness Friday at noon, detailing the actions being taken to conserve water, reduce the risks posed by severe drought conditions, and support our neighbours.