Wapiti River Water Management Plan
Official title: Wapiti river water management plan engagement
Why This Matters
If you live in the Grande Prairie area or rely on the Wapiti River, this plan affects your water supply. Farmers, industries, and municipalities all draw from this river. The plan sets limits to protect fish during low-flow winter months.
What Could Change
The plan is now in effect. Water licence applicants in the basin must follow new diversion limits. The Water Conservation Objective was authorized under the Water Act in June 2020. Anyone applying for water licences must design their plans around these objectives.
Key Issues
- How much water can be withdrawn during winter low-flow periods?
- How to balance municipal, industrial, and agricultural water needs?
- What limits are needed to protect the aquatic ecosystem?
How to Participate
- This consultation is now closed. Albertans provided feedback through an online survey from February 10 to May 8, 2020.
- Read the final Wapiti River water management plan to see the adopted recommendations.
What Happened
Albertans provided feedback through an online survey from February 10 to May 8, 2020. The feedback was reviewed and recommendations were adopted by the Alberta government. The Water Conservation Objective was authorized and implemented under the Water Act in June 2020. Water licence applicants in the basin now must design their plans to meet the plan's water diversion limits.