Alberta oil sands water guide

Wetlands and landscape restoration

Oil sands reclamation aims to rebuild functioning landscapes that can include uplands, wetlands, drainage networks and habitat.

WetlandsRestoration

Editorial review: August 11, 2026 · Lydia M. Carstairs

System role

Topography, soils and water movement are designed together.

How it is managed

Native vegetation and reconstructed wetlands can restore habitat functions over time.

Environmental context

Peatland and wetland restoration in boreal systems is technically difficult and remains an active research area.

What to keep in mind

Creating wet ground is not the same as instantly recreating a mature natural wetland.

High-level industrial education only. Water-treatment chemistry, tailings facilities, steam systems and environmental controls are regulated site-specific systems; this site does not provide operating recipes, setpoints or procedures.