Saskatchewan spring runoff should be normal, below normal
REGINA — The first spring runoff outlook of the year indicates most of Saskatchewan should expect near to below normal runoff.
The Water Security Agency said runoff will be well below normal in the southwest from Kindersley to Assiniboia. In eastern areas near Yorkton, normal conditions should be expected.
Precipitation last fall was below average over most of the province and conditions were dry at freeze-up. Snowfall has been near normal this winter so far, with the north and west-central regions receiving more than normal snow.
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Southern areas near the Manitoba border report less snow than usual.
The WSA said the mountain snowpack is well above normal. That snowpack contributes significantly to May and June flows in the Saskatchewan River basin.
If that snowpack remains above normal, runoff into Lake Diefenbaker will be above normal, accordingly.
The agency said most major water supply reservoirs in the south, including Lake Diefenbaker and the Qu’Appelle River system, are at or above normal levels and should be near normal after the spring runoff.
“The exceptions are McDougald and Harris reservoirs in the southwest, which are below normal. If conditions do not improve, some reservoirs in the Bigstick Basin in the southwest, and Reindeer Lake in the north, may continue to be lower than normal this year,” the outlook said.
“Drier conditions are expected to result in lower flows and lake levels for the Churchill River Basin.”
Source: producer.com