Flood prevention funding available for Alberta communities this fall

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on October 4, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

Alberta municipalities have until the end of November to apply for a portion of $25 million made available as part of a five-year, $125-million Drought and Flood Protection Program, which funded shoreline protection for the Medicine Hat Waste Water Treatment plant early this year.

The province announced Friday it will make the budgeted funding available to all Alberta municipalities and Indigenous communities looking to fund major projects aimed to protect people, homes and infrastructure from floods and drought.

“We are continuing to step up to help protect communities from the risks of drought and floods for years to come,” said Rebecca Schulz, environment minister. “With another $25 million in funding available this fall, we are supporting communities across our province in building the infrastructure they need.”

Earlier in March, Medicine Hat received $3.25 million to build 300 metres of protection along the shoreline of the South Saskatchewan River to help prevent flooding to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Since the program was launched in 2024 to help communities design and construct projects that protect critical infrastructure from droughts and flooding and to ensure public safety is protected, $50 million has been awarded to fund 28 projects.

In the southern portion of the province, the program has also provided funding to help Pincher Creek instal water intakes within the Crowsnest River and assess future options to help meet the growing water demand.

“Drought and floods can threaten public safety and have devastating effects on critical infrastructure, private property and our economy,” said Grant Hunter, associate minister of water. “That’s why we continue to invest in priority projects that protect families from the extreme weather events and keep businesses safe and operating for years to come.”

The application deadline for funding is Dec. 1 and is open to all municipalities, improvement districts, special areas, Métis Settlements, First Nations, regional service commissions and Tribal Councils.

“The Drought and Flood Protection Program is a key component of protecting rural communities and industry from flood and drought risks,” said Kara Westerlund, president of Rural Municipalities of Alberta.

Projects eligible for funding include drought and flood-proofing, berms, flood walls, bank protection, retention ponds and stabilization work, as well as infrastructure design and diversion structures.

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