Humboldt and areas east are sitting with normal to above normal precipitation following freeze up, and that should result in a normal runoff season. That’s the overview from the Water Security Agency who has just released its spring runoff report. The information is based on observations and snowpack evaluations as of March 1. 

Water supply in east central Saskatchewan should be near normal given the anticipated runoff. 

The report notes that moisture conditions across southern Saskatchewan were generally dry at freeze-up in 2022, particularly on the west side of the province where drought conditions were prevalent. Winter snowfall has ranged from below normal over much of southwestern Saskatchewan (other than a small pocket in the extreme southwest south of the Cypress Hills where the snowpack is well above normal), to well above normal through much of central Saskatchewan. The agency does not anticipate flood-related issues even in areas where above normal runoff is expected, assuming near normal conditions going forward.

In the north, near normal snowmelt runoff is generally expected, other than an area from Stony Rapids down toward Buffalo Narrows where below normal snowmelt runoff is predicted. In the south, above normal snowmelt runoff is expected in a band extending from Lloydminster east to the border, due to well above normal snowpack. Below to well below normal snowmelt runoff is expected over much of southwest and south central Saskatchewan. The exception is south of the Cypress Hills where, with a heavy snowpack, above normal snowmelt runoff is expected.

An initial report was issued in February, but the recent snow surveys and measurements of water content give this report a higher degree of reliability over its predecessor.

 

runoff map march 2023