UNITY — An earlier spring runoff report published on SASKTODAY.ca in February, cited conditions around Kerrobert, Luseland, Macklin, Unity and Wilkie were below normal for this time of year.
An updated runoff report was published for April, reporting now higher than expected runoff, which is helping to refill many of the reservoirs that were low following last summer’s extended period of high heat and little precipitation.
Complete details of this report are listed on the website page April Runoff Update | Water Security Agency (wsask.ca))
The updated report also states, “While the slow melt is reducing the runoff potential in areas where there is snow, a rapid melt could produce higher than expected runoff in some areas."
Sean Osmar of the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency adds, “Overall you can see that conditions have improved from the freeze up in the fall, but some areas still have below normal moisture levels. Higher than expected flows in the south have helped replenish many reservoirs, and so far, we haven’t seen any significant flooding. There was some minor ice jamming near Craven last week but that has now cleared.
“You can almost draw a straight line from Lloydminster directly to the southeast corner of the province and on the west side of that line the melt/runoff is mostly complete or underway, and to the east the snowpack is still mostly intact.”
When asked about the Luseland, Kerrobert, Macklin, Unity and Wilkie areas, the WSA says for the runoff is largely complete and runoff yields were near, to below normal. Just to the north, flows on the Cut Knife Creek were a little better than normal, while flows on Eagle Creek were below normal.
“For areas of central Saskatchewan and the north, runoff/melting have not really started to occur, but at this time we do not expect significant changes to the forecast in the March report. We will continue to monitor conditions as the melt continues and provide updates as conditions change,” cites the WSA.
Of course, Saskatchewan residents understand April could still provide more winter weather. With the intense blizzard forecast April 12-14 in southern Saskatchewan and more light snow forecast for central areas, as the WSA stated, updates will be provided as conditions change.
The pig spleen prognostication predicted the snow event near April 7 as well as predicted snow or rain April 21. What Old Man Winter has in store yet for Saskatchewan residents remains to be seen. Regardless, additional moisture will be welcome in a province that has been parched by dry conditions, heat, and little precipitation the last few springs.
