Alberta Code of Practice Maps - CoP Water Body Classifications
The first publicly available GIS dataset of water body classifications and Restricted Activity Periods extracted from Alberta's Code of Practice management area maps. Covering all 17 management areas with 1,283 classified water body segments.
Browse classified water bodies by name - class and RAP dates for ~890 rivers, creeks, and lakesSee the Difference
What's Included
Water body features classified as Class A through D under three Alberta Codes of Practice: Pipelines & Telecommunication Lines, Watercourse Crossings, and Outfall Structures.
Each feature includes the water body classification, RAP date ranges, management area, and source map vintage. Class A water bodies are enriched with fish species and conservation status data from the provincial Atlas of Class A Watercourse Sites (2009).
Field Schema
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| water_body_class | Classification: A, B, C, D, or U (unverified) |
| rap | Restricted Activity Period date range text |
| rap_start / rap_end | RAP start and end dates (MM-DD format) |
| rap_start_2 / rap_end_2 | Optional second RAP period |
| management_area | Source management area name |
| source_vintage | Year of source map (2006 or 2012) |
| atlas_site_name | Class A atlas site name (Class A only) |
| fish_species | Fish species present (Class A only) |
| species_status | Conservation status (Class A only) |
Water Body Classes
Highest restriction. No new construction. Specialist-determined RAP. Critical fish habitat.
Trenchless method preferred. Fixed RAP. Specialist approval for alternatives.
Isolation method preferred. Fixed RAP. Work during RAP if dry/frozen.
No RAP restrictions. Any construction method permitted.
Download
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Alberta. Source: Government of Alberta. Produced by Phaseview.
- Derived from PDF maps, not official GIS data
- Not for sole regulatory compliance use
- Provided “as-is” without warranty
- Based on 2006/2012 vintage maps
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Alberta Code of Practice water body classification?
Under the Alberta Water Act, water bodies are classified A through D based on fish habitat sensitivity. Each class determines what construction activities are permitted, which methods must be used, and when work is restricted (the Restricted Activity Period or RAP). These classifications apply to pipeline crossings, watercourse crossings (bridges and culverts), and outfall structures.
What is a Restricted Activity Period (RAP)?
A RAP is a time window during which construction activities in or near a classified water body are restricted to protect fish and fish habitat. RAP dates vary by water body and are specified on the 17 management area maps. Class A water bodies have no fixed RAP -- timing is determined case-by-case by a qualified aquatic environment specialist.
Why are there no official GIS shapefiles for the CoP maps?
The Government of Alberta published the Code of Practice management area maps only as PDF documents. No official GIS vector data has been released. This dataset was created by Phaseview using automated color classification of the 300 DPI PDF maps, followed by manual quality assurance in QGIS.
Can I use this data for regulatory compliance?
This dataset should not be used as the sole basis for regulatory compliance. It is a derived product -- always verify water body classifications against the official Code of Practice maps available from the Government of Alberta. The data is provided under the Open Government Licence - Alberta.
What fish species data is included for Class A water bodies?
Class A features are enriched with fish species and conservation status data from the Atlas of Class A Watercourse Sites (Alberta, 2009). This includes species like bull trout (Special Concern), lake sturgeon (Threatened), walleye, Arctic grayling, and others. The matching is based on geographic proximity to the 60 official atlas sites.
What formats are included in the download?
The download package includes ESRI Shapefile (.shp), OGC GeoPackage (.gpkg), GeoJSON, a QGIS style file (.qml) with RAP-period coloring, plus README and LICENSE documentation. CRS is EPSG:4326 (WGS 84).
Version History
1.1.0· 2026-04-17· 1,283 featuresCurrent
- Edson: corrected RAP dates on Class C polygons near Brazeau Canyon Wildland (external reviewer feedback).
- Province-wide: removed tiny artefact polygons identified via polygon-area review.
1.0.0· 2026-04-01· 1,316 features
- Initial public release. Water body classifications (Class A-D) with Restricted Activity Periods extracted from 17 Alberta Code of Practice management area maps.
- Class A water bodies enriched with fish species and conservation status from the Atlas of Class A Watercourse Sites (2009).
Corrections are welcome. If you spot an issue, email [email protected].
Data extracted from official Alberta Code of Practice management area maps. Class A fish habitat data from the Atlas of Class A Watercourse Sites. For official classifications, consult the Alberta Codes of Practice.