A new report shows that, while drought conditions in southern Alberta have improved, yields are still expected to be low this year. (Photo: Mniebuhr | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Drought conditions in Southern Alberta improving

Sep 11, 2025 | 9:49 AM

An official with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is optimistic that drought conditions have been getting better in the region.

Agroclimate Specialist Trevor Hadwen has provided his latest Canadian Drought Monitor report, covering the period of August 2025.

He says the greatest improvement in Canada recently was seen in the South Prairies.

Southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan started the year with “extremely dry conditions,” leading some jurisdictions to declare agricultural disasters.

“Those regions have received significant moisture throughout the summer and improved two areas that are just at a moderate drought condition now. Most of that region has seen tremendous amounts of rainfall throughout July and August and really improved the soil moisture,” says Hadwen.

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At the same time, he says the “damage was done” to crops back in June, and that yields are still expected to be very low in many of these regions.

“As harvest begins through the Prairie region, we’re not seeing the same impact of drought on those crops. Those crops are completed; they’ve dried down and they’re now being harvested,” Hadwen explains. “The current drought situation is still impacting water supplies and feed availability and pastures.”

The latest Alberta Crop Report, which covers conditions as of Sept. 2, states that 36.2 per cent of surface soil moisture in the south region was rated “good to excellent.”

The five-year average for this time is nearly 45 per cent.

Surface and sub-surface soil moisture ratings in Alberta as of Sept. 2, 2025. (Photo: Alberta Crop Report)

Hadwen says the moisture we have been seeing lately will be more beneficial next spring.

The City of Lethbridge reports that, as of Sept. 5, the Oldman, St. Mary and Waterton Reservoirs were approximately 60 per cent full. For the Oldman Reservoir, this is considered to be below seasonal norms, while that is normal for the other two.

Hadwen’s report made no mention of the hail storm on Aug. 20 that left a 200-kilometre path of destruction in southern Alberta that can be seen from space. Learn more about that in the article linked below:

READ MORE: Destructive path of August storm in southern Alberta visible from space