About the Project
Foothills County is updating its Flood Hazard Protection overlay (FHPO) regulations to align with recently updated flood hazard information released by the Government of Alberta.
In 2025, the Province completed updated flood studies and mapping for the Highwood River, Sheep River, and Priddis areas. These updated maps identify areas that may be affected during a 1:100 year flood event and provide more detailed information than previous flood mapping.
The County is reviewing and updating its Land Use Bylaw to:
- Align County regulations with current provincial flood hazard maps;
- Improve clarity and consistency in how development in flood prone areas are regulated;
- Support public safety and reduce future flood risk;
- Provide greater certainty for landowners and applicants; and
- Ensure future development is informed by the best available flood hazard information.
The proposed amendments focus on how development is managed in flood-prone areas and do not change property ownership or existing land use districts.
Why Are Changes Being Made?
Foothills County's current Flood Hazard Protection Overlay was developed using older flood mapping, primarily reliant on data from the 2013 flood event.
Since that time, Alberta has completed new technical studies and updated flood hazard mapping, as well have expanded the study to rivers that were previously not modelled. The proposed amendments would update County regulations to reflect the Province's current flood hazard mapping and terminology associated with different flood hazard categories.
Using updated flood hazard information helps protect people and property by ensuring future development decisions are based on current scientific and engineering analysis.
What is Being Considered?
The proposed amendments may include:
Updated Flood Hazard Mapping
The County proposes to adopt the Province's current Flood Hazard Identification Program mapping when reviewing development applications.
Updated Flood Hazard Categories
The land use bylaw will recognize and define the following categories:
- Floodway
- Flood Fringe
- High Hazard Flood Fringe
- Protected Flood Fringe
- Overland Flow (Flood Fringe)
These categories are consistent with current provincial flood hazard mapping.
Clarified Development Requirements
The amendments propose updated requirements for development within flood hazard areas, including:
- Development permit requirements;
- Engineering and technical studies;
- Floodproofing requirements;
- Site drainage considerations; and
- Review of development location relative to flood hazard areas.
Policies Long-Term Flood Risk Management
The amendments continue the County's approach of discouraging new development in areas known to be subject to flooding while allowing appropriate consideration of site-specific circumstances.
What is NOT Changing?
The proposed amendments do not:
- Change property ownership;
- Change existing development or development approvals;
- Prohibit existing uses;
- Create new flood hazard maps (mapping is developed by the Province); or
- Change how emergency response is conducted during flood events.
The County is updating its regulations to align with provincial mapping, not creating new flood hazard areas. Additional lands which were previously not studied or modelled would expand the areas of impacted lands, as the County’s current FHPO area is based off of the 2013 flood event and historical provincial study areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Involved
Community feedback will help Council understand public questions and concerns related to the proposed amendments. Residents are encouraged to:
- Attend an open house;
- Review the proposed amendments;
- View updated provincial flood mapping;
- Complete the survey; and
- Provide comments during the engagement period.