As of April 2025, Alberta is grappling with ongoing drought conditions, though there are signs of improvement in some areas compared to the severe challenges faced in 2024. The province continues to monitor snowpack, precipitation, river levels, and other key data to manage water resources and prepare for potential shortages.
Current Drought Conditions
Alberta's government has classified drought stages by major river basin and sub-basin to better reflect regional variations. As of April 14, 2025, most basins are at Stage 0 or 1 (out of 5, with 5 being the most severe), indicating minimal to low risk of water shortage in many areas. However, the Milk River basin remains at Stage 3, signaling a higher level of concern due to persistent dry conditions1. Additionally, 33 water shortage advisories are in place across select water management areas as of April 11, 20251.
The April water supply outlook, which forecasts river volumes for the April-to-September period, indicates below-average to much below-average conditions across several key basins. The Milk River, Oldman River, and Bow River basins are projected to have much below-average volumes, while the Red Deer River and North Saskatchewan River basins are expected to be below-average to much below-average1. These forecasts suggest continued challenges for water availability in southern and central Alberta.
Regional Variations and Improvements
March 2025 brought varied precipitation across the province. Central Alberta saw well above-normal precipitation due to numerous storm systems, leading to improvements in abnormally dry (D0) to moderate drought (D1) conditions in east-central areas with 25 to 45 mm more than normal rainfall4. However, drought conditions worsened along the eastern slopes and southern foothills of the Rocky Mountains, with severe drought (D2) expanding east of Banff and across the southern Rockies due to long-term moisture deficits, low snowpack, and reduced streamflow4. Southern Alberta's reservoirs also remain a concern, with low water levels persisting despite some recovery45.
Northern Alberta saw minimal changes in drought conditions, with a slight expansion of abnormally dry (D0) areas in the Peace region4. Long-term moisture deficits continue to affect regions west of Edmonton, west of Red Deer, and the southwest corner of the province, where streamflows and reservoir levels remain low5.
Impact on Agriculture and Communities
Alberta's agricultural sector has been significantly impacted by prolonged drought, especially in southern regions. Over the past few years, water scarcity and consecutive dry seasons have reduced water allocations for farmers, affecting crop yields and livestock operations2. Ranchers like Allen Jones near Balzac have reported dry dugouts and insufficient forage production, raising concerns about potential livestock reductions if conditions persist into 20252. Despite these challenges, some farmers, such as Alison Davie of North Paddock Farms, noted that 2024 ended better than expected due to ample late-season rain, and they remain hopeful for sufficient snowfall to recharge reservoirs and soil moisture in 202535.
Nationally, 35% of Canada's agricultural landscape was classified as abnormally dry (D0) or in moderate to severe drought (D1 to D2) at the end of March 2025, with Alberta's Prairie region showing a significant reduction from 98% drought coverage in 2023 to about 35% in 20245. Soil moisture conditions entering winter 2025 are reported to be fairly good in most parts of Alberta, providing a more positive outlook compared to the previous year5.
Government Response and Long-Term Outlook
The Alberta government has implemented a comprehensive Drought Response Plan, updated in 2024, to address varying drought conditions across river basins. The plan outlines five stages of response, with the province currently at Stage 4 in some areas, indicating proactive measures such as water-sharing agreements, conservation plans, and fast-tracking temporary diversion licenses78. Emergency declarations under the Water Act are considered a last resort and would prioritize water for human health, safety, and critical needs if triggered8.
The government is also investing in long-term solutions, including a $125 million drought and flood grant program over five years and a province-wide review of water storage opportunities to support future growth58. While recent moisture and forecasts of increased precipitation offer optimism, experts caution that southern Alberta faces ongoing challenges due to population growth and climate trends predicting warmer, drier winters25.
In summary, while Alberta has seen some improvement in drought conditions heading into 2025, particularly in central and eastern areas, significant concerns remain in southern basins and regions with long-term deficits. The agricultural community and government are preparing for potential challenges, with hopes pinned on winter snowfall and spring melt to replenish critical water resources.
Citations:
- https://www.alberta.ca/drought-current-conditions
- https://www.futureag.ca/post/facing-water-scarcity-and-climate-challenges-heading-into-2025-with-your-alberta-ag-dealer
- https://m.farms.com/news/alberta-drought-conditions-expected-to-improve-heading-into-2025-221720.aspx
- https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-production/weather/canadian-drought-monitor/current-drought-conditions
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-drought-trevor-hadwen-rebecca-schulz-aer-1.7418204
- https://www.alberta.ca/drought-what-government-is-doing
- https://www.abmunis.ca/news/updated-provincial-drought-response-plan
- https://www.watercanada.net/alberta-releases-official-drought-response-plan/
- https://www.syngenta.ca/market-news/map--western-canada-dryness--drought-expands-in-march
- https://oldmanwatershed.ca/blog-posts/2025/4/7/2025-spring-forecast
- https://badweatherkyle.com/2025-western-canada-drought-outlook
- https://www.plantmaps.com/en/ca/province/alberta/current-drought-conditions
- https://open.alberta.ca/publications/moisture-situation-update
- https://www.calgary.ca/water/drought.html
- https://globalnews.ca/news/11030302/southern-alberta-2025-growing-season/
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