Latest on drought in MD of Pincher Creek

The latest reports indicate that the MD of Pincher Creek continues to face severe drought as of September 2025, with persistent water shortages and strong community impacts. Over 75% of dugouts are at 50-year lows, and up to 65% of pasture is dry and stressed, affecting livestock and crop yields.fortmacleodgazette+4

Current Drought Situation

• Water shortage advisories remain in effect for the Pincher Creek region, including local streams like Lee Creek and Castle River within the Bow River Basin. Alberta government monitoring data still classifies the Oldman Basin (which includes Pincher Creek) as "average to much below average" for runoff and water supply into September.alberta+1

• Residents report a noticeable increase in hauling water for household use, farms, and acreages due to dropping well and cistern levels.albertafarmexpress+1

• Local producers are experiencing record-low soil moisture and many pastures and crops remain far below typical yields, with some producers resorting to alternate feed strategies and early livestock sales.mygrandeprairienow+1

Groundwater and Community Impacts

• Groundwater concerns are intensifying, with community meetings highlighting the urgent need for water management solutions, especially as groundwater levels have not recovered despite sporadic rainfall.environmentjournal+1

• Recent funding allocations from the province are directed towards improving flood and drought protections, restoring riverbanks and wetlands, and enhancing resilience against future droughts.lethbridgenewsnow

Outlook and Prognosis

• There are cautious signs of improvement in some southern Alberta areas, with sporadic late-summer rainfall helping to stabilize soil moisture in select locations.chatnewstoday

• However, overall water security remains a major challenge in Pincher Creek, and continued advisories indicate elevated risk for agriculture and local water users until precipitation patterns shift significantly.rivers.alberta+2

The drought crisis in the MD of Pincher Creek remains acute, but ongoing local advocacy, government monitoring, and some provincial funding offer hope for gradual recovery in the coming months.agriculturalserviceboards+4

1. https://www.fortmacleodgazette.com/southern-albertans-voice-ground-water-concerns-in-new-report/
2. https://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/news/several-alberta-municipalities-declare-a-state-of-agricultural-disaster-due-to-dry-conditions/
3. https://www.alberta.ca/drought-current-conditions
4. https://rivers.alberta.ca/?ShowAdvisories=true
5. https://agriculturalserviceboards.com
6. https://www.mygrandeprairienow.com/148036/news/municipal-news/md-of-greenview/greenview-joins-pincher-creek-in-declaring-agricultural-disaster/
7. https://environmentjournal.ca/southern-alberta-residents-speak-up-about-groundwater-concerns-in-new-report/
8. https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2025/07/11/over-1-8-million-to-increase-flood-and-drought-protections-in-southern-alberta/
9. https://chatnewstoday.ca/2025/09/11/drought-conditions-in-southern-alberta-improving/
10. https://mdpinchercreek.ab.ca/content.php?p=news_events
11. https://abpdaily.com/news/multiple-counties-and-mds-across-alberta-declare-agricultural-states-of-emergency/
12. https://mdpinchercreek.ab.ca/content.php?n=1063
13. https://agriculturalserviceboards.com/2025/07/29/municipalities-declaring-disasters-in-2025-a-growing-concern/
14. https://www.lakelandtoday.ca/local-news/lakeland-municipalities-concerned-by-drought-conditions-10985963
15. https://mdpinchercreek.ab.ca/content.php?n=1097
16. https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/cypress-county-declares-agricultural-state-of-emergency-following-dry-start-to-growing-season/
17. https://pinchercreek.ca/content.php?p=notices
18. https://ca.news.yahoo.com/two-municipalities-opposite-corners-southern-205324002.html