Who owns all natural surface water in Alberta?

In Alberta, all natural surface water is owned by the provincial government, which reflects the principle of "public ownership" of water resources. This means that the rights to use, manage, and regulate surface water are maintained by the province rather than individuals or private entities. This ownership structure is established to ensure that water resources are managed sustainably and fairly, allowing the government to oversee water allocation, maintain water quality, and protect ecosystems.

This provincial ownership paradigm is critical in the context of managing water resources amid competing demands from agricultural, industrial, recreational, and environmental interests. It also provides a framework for licensing water use, ensuring that all extraction and use adhere to regulations meant to conserve water and protect the rights of various stakeholders.

The other options suggest different ownership structures which do not align with Alberta's legal framework surrounding water rights. Individual landowners may have rights to the water on their property, but these do not constitute ownership of the water itself. Thus, it’s the provincial government that maintains comprehensive legal control over surface water resources in Alberta.