Building resilience to drought and floods

Alberta municipalities, Indigenous communities and other eligible organizations can now apply for funding to protect people, homes and infrastructure from drought and floods. A total of $25 million in grants will be awarded this spring through the five-year, $125-million Drought and Flood Protection Program.

Investing now in drought and flood infrastructure helps communities prepare for extreme conditions, protect homes and businesses and reduce the potential for even greater costs when disaster strikes.

"Drought and floods threaten public safety, damage infrastructure and private property, and hurt our economy. An additional $25 million will help communities across Alberta build the infrastructure they need."

Through three funding rounds, the program has helped communities across Alberta strengthen critical infrastructure and build resilience against floods and droughts. Projects include upgrading drinking-water infrastructure in Fort McKay, securing Sylvan Lake's water supply, protecting critical infrastructure on Siksika Nation and safeguarding Medicine Hat's wastewater treatment plant. Funding has also supported improvements to the Therriault Dam in the Municipal District of Pincher Creek and rural road crossings in the Municipal District of Taber.

"Rural municipalities are on the front lines of flood and drought mitigation, managing 85 per cent of Alberta's land. The Drought and Flood Protection Program has shown to strengthen resilience and protect rural communities and industry."

Following feedback from previous funding rounds, the program has been expanded to include corporations with projects that provide broader community benefits, protect critical infrastructure and improve public safety. The cost-share structure will be 50:50, with government contributions capped at 30 per cent for corporate-led projects. These changes will help support more projects and protect more communities across Alberta.

Quick facts

• The application deadline is Dec. 21, and successful projects are expected to be shovel-ready for the 2027 construction season.
• Since 2024-25, 39 projects have received about $71.5 million through the Drought and Flood Protection Program. When combined with funding from other levels of government, the total investment is more than $121 million.
• Municipalities, improvement districts, special areas, regional service commissions, Metis Settlements, First Nations, Tribal Councils, and corporations are all eligible to apply.
• Projects eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:
  • Drought- and flood-proofing or relocation of critical infrastructure and infrastructure required to access those services.
  • Structural measures such as berms, flood walls, bank protection and stabilization works, retention ponds and diversion structures intended to protect critical infrastructure and ensure public safety.
  • Purchase of property for the purpose of relocation or for access to and/or construction of a project.
  • Infrastructure designed to increase flood attenuation and reduce the impacts of drought.

Related information

• Drought and Flood Protection Program

Related news

• Protecting communities from drought and floods (Aug. 6, 2024)
• Protecting homes and businesses from drought and floods (March 27, 2025)
• Supporting communities against drought and floods (April 8, 2026)