Water Codes of Practice

Overview

Alberta Environment and Parks is transforming the way we administer Water Act approvals by moving to a web-based, electronic application system.

Water Act approvals applications, approval amendments applications and Code of Practice notices must now be submitted through an online process in a new Environmental Approvals System called OneStop (EAS OneStop). This new system will increase the consistency and transparency of application review and streamline communication and application requirements for applicants, which will result in a more efficient process.

Note: Applications for Water Act Licences are not affected by this change. Water Act Licences will continue to be submitted and reviewed through the current application process until further notice.

Forms and guides

These consolidations have no legislative sanction and are produced solely for the convenience of research. Official Statutes and Regulations must be consulted for all purposes of interpreting and applying the law (consolidations do not contain maps, charts and graphs contained in the printed versions).

For Code of Practice notices, applicants are required to complete the applicable notice form below and submit it, along with other required documentation, in EAS OneStop.

For more information about this change and how to access EAS OneStop, see Environmental Approvals System OneStop.

Temporary diversion of water for hydrostatic testing

• Code of Practice for Hydrostatic Testing Notice Form (PDF, 129 KB)
• Code of Practice for the Temporary Diversion of Water for Hydrostatic Testing of Pipelines – Queen’s Printer
• Fact Sheet – Hydrostatic Testing of Pipelines
• Guide to the Code of Practice for the Temporary Diversion of Water for Hydrostatic Testing of Pipelines

Pipelines and telecommunication lines crossing a water body

• Code of Practice for Pipelines and Telecommunication Lines Crossing a Water Body Notice Form (PDF, 114 KB)
• Code of Practice for Pipelines and Telecommunication Lines Crossing a Water Body – Queen’s Printer
  • Accepted Practice for Hardening Pipeline Crossings to Provide Scour Protection
    See Directives section on Legislation/Guidelines page
  • Appendix A – Amendment (PDF, 16 KB)
    Amendment to the Code of Practice for Pipelines and Telecommunication Lines Crossing a Water Body, Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings, and Code of Practice for Outfall Structures on Water Bodies
• Fact Sheet – Code of Practice for Pipelines and Telecommunication Lines Crossing a Water Body
• Guide to the Code of Practice for Pipelines and Telecommunication Lines Crossing a Water Body

Watercourse crossings

• Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings Notice Form (PDF, 114 KB)
• Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings – Queen’s Printer
  • Appendix A – Amendment (PDF, 16 KB)
    Amendment to the Code of Practice for Pipelines and Telecommunication Lines Crossing a Water Body, Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings, and Code of Practice for Outfall Structures on Water Bodies
• Guide to the Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings, Including Guidelines for Complying with the Codes of Practice
  • This guide was last updated in 2001 and does not reflect amendments to the Water (Ministerial) Regulation or to the Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings (as of March 8, 2019). Significant changes to Green Area requirements and considerations have resulted. This guide should not be relied upon exclusively and users of the guide must defer to the code and the regulation for new and updated requirements.
• Working Agreement: Class 'A' Watercourses

Outfall structures on water bodies

• Code of Practice for Outfall Structures on Water Bodies Notice Form (PDF, 114 KB)
• Code of Practice for Outfall Structures on Water Bodies – Queen’s Printer
  • Appendix A – Amendment (PDF, 16 KB) Amendment to the Code of Practice for Pipelines and Telecommunication Lines Crossing a Water Body, Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings, and Code of Practice for Outfall Structures on Water Bodies

Powerline works impacting wetlands

• Code of Practice for Powerline Works Impacting Wetlands Notice Form (PDF, 114 KB)
• Code of Practice for Powerline Works Impacting Wetlands

Maps

These management area maps were produced in large scale format at high resolution so some monitors may not be able to display them clearly. If so, go to Queen's Printer, search for Maps to find the Code of Practice Kit of Maps & Associated Codes to order printed copies.

• Management area maps
  Codes of Practice: Pipelines/Telecommunications Lines Crossing a Water Body/Water Course Crossings
  • Appendix A – Amendment (PDF, 16 KB)

Atlas of Class A Watercourse Sites

This atlas is a compendium of detailed information about the nature of Class A watercourses. Open the provincial overview map to determine the site number. The atlas files are organized by site number and can be found on the Open Government Portal at:

• Atlas of Class A Watercourse Sites

Note: the information provided in the Class A Watercourse Atlas is not binding, may not be complete and is subject to change. It is not to be used to determine the official location of Class A sites. The detailed management area maps in section 5 (above) contain the legal descriptions of Class A site locations. For more information, contact the department’s Fish and Wildlife Branch.

• Contact Us

Information sheets

Information sheets contain descriptions of all sites, the rationale for their classification, the fish species they are important for, as well as sources of other information. The information sheets can be found on the Open Government Portal at:

• Atlas of Class A Watercourse Sites

Site maps

This collection of site maps shows the locations of Class A sites in relation to the Alberta Township System and other base features. These maps can be found on the Open Government Portal at:

• Atlas of Class A Watercourse Sites

The listing of maps included on the Open Government Portal are as follows:

• Class A Atlas – Maps of Sites 1 to 4
• Class A Atlas – Maps of Sites 5 to 9
• Class A Atlas – Maps of Sites 10 to 15
• Class A Atlas – Maps of Sites 16 and 17
• Class A Atlas – Maps of Sites 18 to 20
• Class A Atlas – Maps of Sites 21 to 23
• Class A Atlas – Maps of Sites 24 to 30
• Class A Atlas – Maps of Sites 31 to 38
• Class A Atlas – Maps of Sites 39 to 48
• Class A Atlas – Maps of Sites 49 to 56
• Class A Atlas – Maps of Sites 57 to 60

Aerial imagery

This collection of aerial imagery provides detail about ground cover and the location of road-stream crossing sites. These maps can be found on the Open Government Portal at:

• Atlas of Class A Watercourse Sites

The listing of maps included on the Open Government Portal are as follows:

• Class A Water Body Map – Sites 1 to 10
• Class A Water Body Map – Sites 11 to 20
• Class A Water Body Map – Sites 21 to 30
• Class A Water Body Map – Sites 31 to 40
• Class A Water Body Map – Sites 41 to 50
• Class A Water Body Map – Sites 51 to 60