Water Maps

Water maps are published in many different forms by virtually all provincial and territorial jurisdictions across Canada. These forms may include aquifers, water wells, waterways, marine navigation maps, and watersheds. Federally, the Canadian Hydrographic Service publishes a wide variety of water-themed maps that are applicable for transboundary water management and coastal/maritime navigation purposes.

The following is a selection of map resources you can find online.

Alberta maps

Alberta’s Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs) and River Basins

Alberta Flood Maps

A website providing current and draft flood hazard maps for a range of flood sizes, floodway and flood fringe areas and, in some areas, the ability to compare floods of different sizes.

AgroClimatic Information Service (ACIS)

ACIS is supported by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, an interactive tool that provides weather forecasts, current and historic maps, and access to weather data received from more than 270 weather stations in and around Alberta. This service was developed to describe Alberta’s weather, climate and related agriculture features to help with your long-term planning and decision-making throughout the year.

Through ACIS you can view:

Alberta River Basins

An interactive map (and mobile app) showing updated Daily/Weekly/Monthly precipitation and flows, forecaster comments, ice observation reports, Water Supply Outlook, and archives.

Environmentally Significant Areas

A 2014 update of the Alberta Environmentally Significant Areas Report including data and map for the province.

Canada: Water Maps and Data Summaries

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

AAFC publishes a wide variety of agriculture-related maps showing topics such as soil moisture, evaporative stress, climate and drought.   The Canadian Drought Monitor web site provides updated monthly information on drought conditions across Canada.

Environment Canada

In this section, find information on water maps, water management, and environment-related water issues over which Environment Canada has jurisdiction.

Natural Resources Canada

Supports “The Atlas of Canada” which has several Water Maps of Canada…even maps for recreational activities like swimming and beach activity, canoeing, kayaking and sailing, power boating and recreational fishing.

Global Water Maps

Some globally focused maps can be found through the following websites:

Sources:

[1] Government of Alberta, n.d.  Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils.  https://www.alberta.ca/watershed-planning-and-advisory-councils.  Accessed 2023-08-25.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Ross Douglas

Ross Douglas

Board Member

Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.

Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Brian Mergelas

Brian Mergelas, PhD, ICD.D

Board Member

Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market.   With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry. 

Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector. 

He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency. 

Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field. 

Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation.   As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.