Alberta is experiencing significant drying of lakes, rivers, and ponds due to a multi-year drought and the impacts of climate change. This situation is particularly acute in southern Alberta and several river basins, where water levels have dropped to historic lows and water shortages are widespread[1][2][3][4].
Key factors and current conditions include:
- Below-average snowpack and precipitation: The Oldman, Bow, and North Saskatchewan river basins have seen snowpack levels 33–62% below normal, resulting in reduced runoff and less water available for rivers, lakes, and reservoirs[1][5]. This has led to extremely low water levels in many parts of the province.
- Diminished reservoirs and groundwater: Major reservoirs like the St. Mary and Oldman are well below their typical storage levels for this time of year, with some as low as 22–32% of capacity as of spring 2024[3]. Groundwater in some areas hit record lows in December 2023[3].
- Dry riverbeds and shrinking wetlands: In some areas, creeks have dried up completely, springs and wells have run dry, and municipalities have resorted to trucking in water[4]. Wetlands, which act as natural water storage and filtration systems, have been heavily impacted, with up to 70% lost in some prairie regions[5].
- Ongoing water shortage advisories: Multiple river basins, including the Battle River, remain under provincial water shortage advisories, with flows at or near record lows[6]. For example, in May 2025, the Battle River at several monitoring stations was flowing at or near zero[6].
- Accelerating impacts from climate change: Warmer temperatures are causing earlier and faster ice melt on lakes, leading to increased evaporation and degraded water quality[7]. The retreat of Rocky Mountain glaciers, which historically provided crucial late-summer water, is further reducing water availability[5][7].
- Consequences for ecosystems and communities: Lower water levels and changing ice conditions are disrupting aquatic ecosystems, causing fish die-offs, altering food webs, and threatening traditional and recreational activities[7]. There are also increased risks of wildfires and agricultural losses due to persistent dryness[6][7].
Outlook: While some regions saw temporary improvements in soil moisture with spring rains in 2025, long-term deficits remain, especially in the west and southwest[8][6]. Experts warn that Alberta’s water infrastructure was designed for shorter droughts, and the current multi-year event is stretching resources beyond their limits[3]. Substantial snowfall and precipitation are needed to replenish supplies, but forecasts remain uncertain[4].
In summary, Alberta’s lakes, rivers, and ponds are drying out due to a combination of prolonged drought, reduced snowpack, receding glaciers, and climate change, with serious implications for water supply, agriculture, ecosystems, and communities across the province[1][2][6][3][5][4][7].
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- https://www.alberta.ca/drought-current-conditions
- https://www.aer.ca/about-aer/media-centre/bulletins/bulletin-2023-43
- https://thenarwhal.ca/alberta-drought-water-supply/
- https://oldmanwatershed.ca/abwater
- https://www.resilience.org/stories/2024-03-21/albertas-brutal-water-reckoning/
- https://www.battleriverwatershed.ca/drought-update/
- https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/climate-change-putting-alberta-lakes-on-dangerously-thin-ice-u-of-c-researcher
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-drought-trevor-hadwen-rebecca-schulz-aer-1.7418204
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