WSA predicts average spring runoff

Despite the relative lack of snow in southern Saskatchewan this winter, the Water Security Agency (WSA) is expecting an average spring runoff.

On Friday, the WSA released its preliminary spring runoff outlook. It called for a “near-normal snowmelt runoff” because of the wet fall experienced in the southern part of the province.

“Throughout the fall, most of southern Saskatchewan received precipitation well above normal, with the wettest areas being around Swift Current and the Souris River Basin,” the WSA said in a media release.

“While wet conditions at freeze-up increase the runoff potential during the spring melt, it does not guarantee that a flood will occur.”

The agency said central and northern Saskatchewan will see below-normal spring runoff levels. Those areas had near-normal moisture levels at freeze-up and have had below-average snowfall.

The agency said forecasts call for normal amounts of precipitation across the province for the next three months, but noted its runoff outlook could change with winter expected to last another eight to 10 weeks.

The next runoff forecast is to be issued in early March.