EAST CENTRAL — The Water Security Agency is predicting lower than normal runoff in east central Saskatchewan – and in most of the province.
The agency released its March spring runoff outlook on March 5.
Only the far northwest and extreme southeast and southwest corners of the province are projected to have near or above normal runoffs, with small portions of the province expected to have a higher than normal runoff.
A band in southwestern Saskatchewan stretching from Moose Jaw through to Lucky Lake and Leader is facing the driest conditions with a well below normal runoff projected.
The agency said some agricultural water supply issues could develop within drier areas during 2020 if lack of moisture persists through spring. March and April can be the some of the wettest months, so the outlook may improve.
Snowmelt runoff is influenced by fall soil moisture, storage conditions, winter precipitation accumulations and weather during the spring melt
Water supplies from the province’s major reservoirs are expected to be adequate in 2020. Desirable summer operating levels are also expected at most recreational lakes within the province in 2020.
