Water is one of Alberta's most important renewable resources. This website provides information on the quantity and status of Alberta's water, and related topics and issues. Both groundwater and surface water are discussed, including general information on hydrology and water quantity in Alberta.

Alberta's surface water resources are located in glaciers, lakes and man-made reservoirs, or flow through the province's rivers and streams. Alberta has a good supply of surface water. However, because of geography, the distribution of our population, our climate, and natural variability in climatic cycles, some regions may experience water scarcity from time to time. Most of Alberta's surface water resources lie in northern Alberta, while most of the population and agricultural/industrial demand occurs in the south. Although the overall demands on water are much higher in the southern part of the province, periodic dry spells can place hardships on water supplies anywhere in Alberta. Groundwater is present in practically every part of the Province, but aquifer depths, yields and potability vary widely. Because of the importance of water to humans and to the environment, Alberta Environment and its partners are active in monitoring and analyzing the past and present status of water supplies. Understanding the distribution and variability of water is critical for planning, managing and allocating water for human use while maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

The management and allocation of Alberta's water is becoming increasingly complex. The province must maintain a balance between the environment, the use of water, and the regulatory obligations to Alberta's provincial and U.S. state neighbours.

The science of water quantity is practised by a variety of professionals including hydrologists, hydrogeologists, engineers, climatologists, meteorologists and technologists. Government agencies and university researchers have conducted much of the scientific investigation in the past, but watershed groups, industries and municipalities are becoming active partners in many studies and initiatives. We encourage you to learn about water quantity in Alberta, so you can become an active participant in protecting this valuable resource.