Glacier FarmMedia — Most of Saskatchewan will experience below-normal to well below-normal levels of runoff in 2024, according to the provincial Water Security Agency’s Spring Runoff Forecast for 2024, released March 12.
As of March 1, the northern third of the province, as well as the southwest corner and south-central region of Saskatchewan, were projected to have well below-normal runoff.
A major snowstorm which brought up to 45 centimetres in central and southern regions of the province on March 2 and 3 helped to slightly improve conditions. Areas surrounding Saskatoon and west of the city, as well as locations in the southeast along the Manitoba border, will see near normal runoff. However, as of March 4, the province’s snowpack remains below-normal to well below-normal.
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“Although the recent snowfall will help our situation and our producers this spring, we as a government will still be prepared to help those areas with dry conditions,” Minister Responsible for Water Security Agency David Marit said. “More moisture will be needed as temperatures continue to stay above zero. WSA will still be taking as many proactive measures as possible to prepare for changing conditions.”
However, dry conditions persist in southern parts of Saskatchewan. Localized water supply shortages are possible in the south-central this spring and the WSA has enacted conservative operating plans at most major reservoirs since last winter.
Despite the dry conditions, most reservoirs in the southern half of the province are at or above normal water levels. However, the report cited the Avonlea, Altawan and Cypress Reservoirs as those which could see lower levels due to the small snowpack.
