What to Know About Wetlands on Your Land

Are you planning to subdivide or develop your land in the future? It’s important to understand that wetlands are protected under the Alberta Wetland Policy and the broader Water Act. Parkland County’s Municipal Development Plan, Land Use Bylaw, and other policies also work to protect these features and the vital functions they provide on the landscape.

What is a wetland?

The Alberta Wetland Policy defines wetlands as “…land saturated with water long enough to promote wetland or aquatic processes, as indicated by poorly drained soils, hydrophytic (water-loving) vegetation, and various kinds of biological activity adapted to wet environments.”

Across Alberta, it’s estimated that approximately 60–70% of wetlands in settled areas have been lost. In Parkland County, about 56% of wetland area has disappeared since the 1950s.

Why are wetlands important?

Wetlands play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. They help improve water quality, regulate water supply, provide essential wildlife habitat, support biodiversity, recharge groundwater, and help reduce the impacts of drought and flooding.

How do you know if you may have a wetland on your land?

If you describe an area on your property as a slough, swamp, marsh, muskeg, swampy area, or low-area, there’s a good chance it may be a wetland. Water may not always be visible due to natural fluctuations, but these areas are still protected!

How could this impact your subdivision or development plans?

As part of the application review process, the County may require setbacks from wetlands or avoidance measures to protect them. In some cases, land dedication or technical studies may also be required for environmentally sensitive areas.

Parkland County maintains both a Current (2013) and Historical (circa 1950) Wetland Inventory, which identifies potential wetlands on properties. This information is available through DiscoverParkland. While the inventory may not always be exact, it’s a valuable tool to help inform future planning and development on your land.

Learn more and explore on our Water, Wetlands, and Watersheds webpage.