Water Management

The absence and presence of water is central to Prairie history–be it a multi-year drought or a 100-year flood. As a region that already experiences a great deal of seasonal variation, a reliable and predictable water supply cannot be taken for granted with the added stress of a changing climate.

Climate change carries significant implications for water resources by altering the quantity, variability, timing, and intensity of precipitation. The Prairies are anticipated to experience longer, hotter, and drier conditions punctuated by episodic heavy precipitation events.

Building climate resilience on the Prairies requires detailed flood and drought risk assessments as well as adaptation strategies that balance flood protection with conservation of water on the landscape.

Publications