Some areas of Saskatchewan facing below-normal runoffs

Saskatchewan has had a lot of snow this winter, but some areas of the province are still facing below-normal runoffs this spring.

The Water Security Agency (WSA) issued its spring runoff forecast for 2022 on Thursday and said areas that were hard hit by the drought in 2021 likely will have normal to below-normal runoff.

“WSA is currently expecting a below- to well-below-normal snowmelt runoff response over much of southern Saskatchewan,” the forecast said. “Only areas east of Moose Jaw are forecast to receive near- or above-normal runoff.

“Below-normal runoff in the southwest may result in some water supply issues, including shortages and potentially water quality-related issues later in the year.”

The WSA said central areas of the province can expect above- to well-above-normal snowmelt runoff, but flooding isn’t expected.

However, the agency said the snowpack in the North Saskatchewan River Basin has created what it called an “elevated risk of a dynamic ice breakup event” on the river. That could cause ice jamming and flooding like what happened in 2020.

An above-normal snowpack should result in better flows in the Saskatchewan River system and better levels at Lake Diefenbaker than last year.