Stage 1 Water Restrictions End

The water level at Driedmeat Lake remains low, which is why the City of Camrose has remained under Stage 1 water restrictions for most of the summer and the fall. After careful monitoring, and as outdoor water use naturally decreases heading into winter, Stage 1 water restrictions will officially end today, November 7th.

These restrictions primarily targeted outdoor water use, and with fewer residents now watering lawns and gardens, overall demand has dropped. However, Camrose and area have been experiencing a series of dry years, including a hot and dry September, which has made it increasingly difficult for local water levels to recover. Many residents have even noticed that ponds and sloughs around the city are also drying up.

The charts below help illustrate the challenges we’re facing:

• Graph 1 shows that precipitation has dropped off significantly since July, compared to the 5-year average. Comparing the 2025 values against the 5 Year Averages, the City has experienced lower monthly precipitation amounts for every month since April.
• Graph 2 highlights the ongoing trend of lower-than-average water levels in our local supply since 2023, compared to the 8-year average.