Resources · Wetlands & flood
Alberta Flood Hazard Maps for Buyers
Flood-hazard maps exist for some Alberta rivers and lakes and not for others. “Not mapped” is not “not a flood.” It means the product has not been published for that reach.
How to read a mapped reach
Look for floodway versus flood fringe where those terms are used. Buildings in a floodway are a different risk than a hayfield in a fringe. Municipal bylaws may add rules on top of the provincial map.
How to read an unmapped reach
Use terrain: valley bottoms, ice-jam stories from neighbours, high-water marks on trees, and insurance questions. A free parcel report that shows elevation and nearby water is a start.