Seasonal Docks
While the jurisdiction over the bed and shore of waterbodies in the County falls under the Province of Alberta, there are certain circumstances where the County has found it necessary and suitable to acquire formal disposition from the province to regulate shoreline use.
A private dock or mooring structure attached to a County Environmental or Municipal Reserve does not require written consent or approval from the County, provided it adheres to Policy 61.0.4 Seasonal Docks & Mooring Structure on County Managed Lands and Provincial Guidelines.
The County supports the installation of community docks or mooring structures within County Disposition Areas, provided it adheres to Policy 61.0.1 Seasonal Docks & Mooring Structure on Disposition Lands and Provincial Guidelines. Such installations are subject upon receiving annual authorization from the County.
Note: The storage of docks or other mooring structures is not permitted on County Managed Lands including Municipal Reserve, Environmental Reserve, Public Utility Lot, Road Allowances, etc.
In Alberta, water bodies and shore lands fall under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Government.
Landowners must obtain authorization with the province before modifying shorelands. This ensures that:
- all aquatic and water resource management issues are reflected in the approval
- any unanticipated issues are addressed before construction
- construction does not occur during sensitive times when fish spawn or birds nest
For further information on docks and other lakeshore activities visit the Government of Alberta’s Environment and Parks website or call Alberta Environment and Parks at 780-427-7617. To call toll-free in Alberta, dial 310-0000 then the phone number.
On March 26, 2024, Council approved Policy 61.0.1 Seasonal Docks & Mooring Structure on County Disposition Areas and revised Policy 61.0.4 Seasonal Docks & Mooring Structure on County Managed Lands.
Historically, the County of Wetaskiwin has not issued approval for the placement of seasonal structures on lakeshores in the County since the management and control of the bed and shore of waterbodies is the responsibility of the Province. However, the Alberta Government recently adopted the Alberta Government Disturbance Standard for Temporary Seasonal Docks and other Mooring Structures for Personal Recreational Purposes (April 2021)( Public Lands Act, RSA 2000), establishing a standardized means of managing docks and other mooring structures on Alberta lakes.
The disturbance standard applies to seasonal mooring structures for waterfront and semi-waterfront property owners. Under the Disturbance Standard, the installation of a dock may require the consent of the lakefront landowner to obtain approval from the Province. The County owns a significant amount of land next to our lakes, usually in the form of an Environmental or Municipal Reserve. Further, given the nature of shorelines, the installation of a dock may not be possible without attaching it to County owned land. To deal with the consent and use of County land for docks, Council directed Administration to draft a Seasonal Dock & Mooring Structure Installation & Storage Approval Policy for their consideration.
On March 28, 2023, Council held a Public Hearing to gather feedback on the draft policy from community members. After hearing from members of the public, and Alberta Forestry, Parks and Tourism on April 25, 2023, Council amended the draft policy. Council chose not to support the storage of docks and other mooring structures on County land, however, did give consent through the Policy allowing docks and other mooring structures to be installed adjacent to and on County Managed Lands, subject to conditions.