(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

WSA Runoff Forecast

Below normal spring runoff expected across most of Sask.

Mar 5, 2020 | 11:30 AM

A wide swath of the province can expect below normal runoff this spring.

The Water Security Agency (WSA) has released the March spring runoff outlook.

Areas including Melfort, Tisdale, Nipawin, Hudson Bay, Prince Albert, Humboldt, North Battleford, Meadow Lake, and La Ronge are all included among regions that can expect below normal spring runoff.

The vast majority of the province is forecast to have below normal runoff. (Submitted/Water Security Agency)

Well below normal runoff is expected in southern areas including Leader and Moose Jaw, while some regions close to the U.S. border, and in the province’s far northwest can expect near normal or even above normal runoff.

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“We had quite a bit fo precipitation in the fall for most areas, and that’s essentially been balanced out now by a real lack of winter snowfall,” Executive Director, Communications and Client Services Patrick Boyle told northeastNOW.

Boyle said there are factors that can change that below normal outlook.

“You get that heavy, wet snow in March and April and there’s a lot of water content in there, and that can certainly change things,” Boyle said. “They can be some of our wettest months.”

The speed of the melt could also increase the runoff outlook, especially if there is more snow accumulation in March and April.

The spring runoff outlook also said water supplies from the province’s major reservoirs are expected to be adequate, while desirable summer operating levels are expected at most recreational lakes within the province.

The WSA will issue their next forecast in early April, if the runoff hasn’t already begun.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974