Water Security Agency doesn’t expect flooding issues this spring

Major flooding isn’t expected to be a concern in Saskatchewan this spring, as long as conditions stay close to normal.

The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency released its 2023 spring runoff report Thursday morning and was cautiously positive about the low potential for flooding around the province.

“The agency does not anticipate flood-related issues even in areas where above-normal runoff is expected, assuming near-normal conditions going forward,” the agency said in a statement.

The forecast, the agency noted, is based on conditions up to March 1, and above-normal snowfalls this month could increase the runoff in some areas expecting below-normal levels.

(Water Security Agency/Submitted)

While flooding isn’t expected to be a major concern, the lack of water could negatively impact some producers, the agency noted.

“In areas where below- or well below-normal snowmelt runoff is expected, some water supply concerns may emerge or intensify,” the agency said. “For instance, irrigation water supply in the Bigstick Lake Basin near Maple Creek is expected to experience a third consecutive year of shortages.”

In the north, the agency said runoff is expected to be around normal levels, except for an area stretching from Stony Rapids down to Buffalo Narrows, where runoff was forecast to be below normal.

In southern Saskatchewan, the agency said runoff is expected to be above normal in a band extending from Lloydminster east to the border due to a larger-than-average snowpack.

Southwestern and south-central Saskatchewan can expect the runoff to be well below normal, the agency said, except for the Cypress Hills where runoff was predicted to be above normal.

The next spring runoff forecast will be issued in early April, the agency said.