The threat of above-normal runoff is persisting for southern Saskatchewan, according to the March spring runoff forecast compiled by the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority.
The threat of above-normal runoff is persisting for southern Saskatchewan, according to the March spring runoff forecast compiled by the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority.
The southeastern area remains under the threat well above normal for runoff, with the area including from Weyburn up to north of Watrous and Wynyard and extending east to the Manitoba border.
In this area, spring flows could exceed the natural channel capacity in many areas even with an average snow melt rate. This is combined with the excess amount of summer and fall rainfall in 2010 along with the above-average snowpack throughout much of the agricultural area.
The Rafferty, Alameda and Moose Mountain reservoirs are all expected to be high; projected flow frequencies in these areas range from a one-in-10-year to one-in-20-year events.
The Watershed Authority notes this forecast is based on limited data and is a general guide for large areas; local conditions may vary significantly.
An above-average normal precipitation prior to runoff and/or a faster than normal melt could result in a significantly higher runoff.
The Watershed Authority warns people to use extreme caution on or near any water bodies, as excess water can cause high water levels and thin ice, and fast stream flows; falling through the ice could be critical due to the pull of the fast flowing water underneath.
