Northern Saskatchewan is not expected to see flooding of rivers and streams this spring, as the runoff is forecasted to be near or below normal.
The Water Security Agency released its first report of the year, saying the La Ronge/Southend region will be near normal, while the far north will be below normal.
“Up to sort of Waskesiu, Meadow Lake and even up to Southend and La Ronge, we’re looking at near normal conditions. In the far north going up to Buffalo Narrows, Key Lake, Stony Rapids up in those areas, we’re looking at below normal,” said Patrick Boyle, spokesperson for the Water Security Agency.
Low precipitation in the summer and fall caused soil moisture to be low at winter freeze-up.
“If we look at the summer and fall of 2018 and going into winter freeze-up, most areas saw below normal moisture conditions,” Boyle explained.
Boyle says there are still eight to 10 weeks before the spring runoff begins, but suggests precipitation levels need to be significantly higher to change current predictions.
Much of the southern portion of the province will have a below or well below normal spring runoff.
(North Saskatchewan River. MBC file.)