Flood mapping momentum keeps rolling

Press Release

May 29, 2026

Alberta’s government continues to make public safety a priority by launching new flood mapping studies that will provide detailed information on flood hazards.

New flood mapping studies launched this spring will produce about 260 kilometres of new or updated flood mapping for 10 communities. This is on top of the nearly 600 kilometres of flood mapping that was already underway across the province.

Knowing where the water will flow during a flood is critical to understanding where it’s safe to farm, safe to build and how to best prepare for emergency situations. Since 2020, Alberta has completed about 1,900 kilometres of new or updated flood mapping. This total represents more flood mapping than the previous 35 years combined.

“New and updated flood mapping helps keep Albertans safe from the potentially devastating impacts of flooding. I’m very proud of the great work done by our government in recent years, and there’s so much more to come.”

Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

Flood mapping is commonly used to guide local development decisions and prioritization of flood mitigation strategies, including projects that are eligible for funding through the government’s Drought and Flood Protection Program.

Having a visual representation that shows what neighbourhoods may flood, what critical infrastructure may be at risk, and which roads may soon no longer be accessible is essential to ensure public safety in the event of a flood.

“RMA appreciates ongoing provincial investment in flood mapping across rural areas of the province. Proper monitoring and mitigation are crucial parts of effective emergency planning and response, and accurate flood mapping data will support municipalities in understanding flood risks when planning new development and investing in emergency mitigation and response capacity.”

Kara Westerlund, president, Rural Municipalities of Alberta

“The Town of Didsbury is appreciative of the work being done by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas in mapping floodplain data. Studies such as these are a vital part of due diligence for development in any community as far as informing safe development of neighbourhoods around bodies of water.”

Chris Little, mayor, Town of Didsbury

Approximately 330 kilometres of mapping will be released for public engagement in June, covering Edson, Garden River, Grande Prairie, Kinuso, Lacombe, Lamont, Manning, Millet, Paddle Prairie, Peers, Ponoka, Robb and Watino. Public engagement is the last step before finalization, which is expected by the end of 2026.

Technical work is complete for approximately 250 kilometres of mapping covering Carbon, Chateh, Crowsnest Pass, Lethbridge, Rycroft, Thorsby and Two Hills. These draft reports and maps will be shared with local authorities for review this summer. Public engagement will follow once local authority feedback is received and addressed. Finalization is expected in the spring of 2027.

Alberta’s government produces a variety of flood mapping products that focus on floods caused by high river flows when water escapes the river channel, which is most common in spring or following heavy summer rainstorms. To better meet the needs of individual communities, Alberta’s government also produces flood maps specific to ice jam floods, debris floods along steep mountain creeks or potential for river channel erosion during high flow events.

Quick facts

• The government has budgeted $2.76 million in 2026-27 and $1.288 million in 2027-28 to carry out flood mapping work.
  • Alberta’s contributions are matched by the federal government as part of a cost-share agreement.
• Since 2020, new or updated flood mapping totalling about 1,900 kilometres has been completed for 70 municipalities and five First Nations.
• More than 80 per cent of municipalities covered by provincial flood mapping reference them in local land use bylaws.
• Flood maps for any community in the province can be easily viewed online on Alberta’s Flood Awareness Map Application.
• The ten communities set to receive new or updated flood mapping are: Barrhead, Birchwood Village Greens, Didsbury, Driftpile, Eckville, Jarvie, Radway, Rosebud, Sucker Creek and Westward Ho.

Related news

• Flood mapping continues at breakneck pace (Nov. 25, 2025)
• Flood protection levelled up in Calgary (May 27, 2025)
• Alberta finalizing flood maps at lightning speed (Apr. 9, 2025)

Related information

• Flood Hazard Identification Program
• Flood Awareness Map Application
• Drought and Flood Protection Program | Alberta.ca
• Alberta River Basins

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