Information Sources

There are a variety of information sources pertaining to water:

SSRB Water Portal

All water licenses within the SSRB can now be found on-line through the Alberta Environment link www.envinfo.gov.ab.ca/LicenseViewer/.  The system allows the user to search surface and well diversions by water management areas and, if the user wishes, by category (agriculture, commercial, or industrial, for example). By using the “show report” prompt, the user will be provided with a list of licenses in that water management area including: approval identity, priority, licensee, point of diversion, source, volume, diversion rate, type and purpose.  Individuals or companies named on the license can then be contacted.

Alberta Environment is also working on a “notice board” for those interested in water transfers to post information.  It is expected that the notice board will be available for public use by the summer of 2009.

Irrigation District Contacts and License Information

The Alberta Irrigation Projects Association (AIPA) is an umbrella organization of the thirteen irrigation districts whose mandate is to increase the level of understanding of irrigation’s value to the Province of Alberta and to promote progressive water management practices. More information about this organization can be found at: www.aipa.ca.

Water Transfer Alberta

This private agency can assist customers with all aspects of transferring, assigning or modifying entitlements to water.  This includes:

• Up-to-date advice on how the regulatory framework for transferring water
  entitlements functions;
• Assistance with obtaining new entitlements to water;
• Assistance with all aspects of buying, selling and modifying water rights;
• Assistance in liaising with Alberta Environment;
• Evaluations and appraisals of water rights; and
• Advice and assistance in liaising with engineers, planners, consultants and legal
  services, which may be required to fulfill your water needs

Contact Information: www.watertransferalberta.com

The Irrigation Secretriat was established under the Irrigation Districts Act.  It consists of employees of employees of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) and operates within the Policy and Environment Section of the department, reporting to the Director of the Irrigation and Farm Water Division.

The Irrigation Secretariat assists ARD in developing policies and legislation relating to irrigation districts and provides clarification to irrigation districts and other partners in the irrigation industry on those policies and legislation.    

The Irrigation Secretariat, in conjunction with the Irrigation Council, administers the department’s Irrigation Rehabilitation Program (IRP).  The IRP is an on-going cost shared, multi-million dollar grant program that is based on annual agreements between the Minister and Alberta’s thirteen irrigation districts.  The IRP   provides funding for the irrigation districts to use to rehabilitate their extensive water conveyance and storage infrastructure. 

In accordance with the Irrigation Districts Act, the Irrigation Secretariat also carries out the functions and duties assigned by the Irrigation Council under the director of the Irrigation Council.  The Irrigation Secretariat is responsible to ensure that Alberta’s Irrigation Council is well informed on irrigation matters, and has the tools to meet its legislated responsibilities under the Irrigation Districts Act.  The Branch Head of the Irrigation Secretariat acts as Secretary to the Irrigation Council. 

The Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) is a not-for-profit organization that is working in partnership with communities and residents to improve the Oldman River Watershed.  The Council consists of members who live or work within the Oldman Basin.  These members provide leadership and guidance in watershed planning and management, water quality monitoring, and stewardship promotion. 

The Council is governed by a Board of Directors who are comprised of 16 representatives from various organizations and four members at large.

The OWC was formed in September 2004, when the Oldman River Basin Water Quality Initiative merged with the Oldman Basin Advisory Council (BAC).

When the Province’s Water for Life strategy was released, these two groups combined to provide a diverse partnership knowledgeable in all areas of watershed management, including sustainable water management and  land use practices in the Oldman Basin. 

The Milk River Watershed Council Canada is a broad partnership of interested and informed people living and working in the Milk River Watershed who provides leadership in watershed management and planning.  As a trans-boundary watershed, we foster good relationships with our Montana neighbors for the continued co-management of the Milk River waters. 

Their mandate is to engage governments, stakeholders, other partnerships, and the public in watershed assessment and watershed management planning, considering existing land and resource management planning processes and decision-making authorities.

They are an independent organization that supports the goals of Alberta's Water for Life Strategy in the Milk River Watershed.  These goals are:

• Safe, secure drinking water supplies,
• Reliable water supplies for a sustainable economy, and
• Healthy aquatic ecosystems.

To read more about the Milk River Watershed Council Canada and our mandate download a copy of our Bylaws and Action Plan. 

There are private law and consultant firms that specialize in water laws and rights management, it is recommended that individuals requiring  more information about these services contact their established advisors.