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Farmers hoping for rain as extreme drought continues

May 18, 2021 | 12:00 PM

MELFORT, SK — Farmers across Saskatchewan continue wishing for rain.

The director of hydrology at the University of Saskatchewan John Pomeroy said large swaths of the province are currently experiencing extreme drought.

Pomeroy has spoken with many farmers who have never seen conditions so dry.

“We have had less than 40 percent of our normal precipitation since last fall,” Pomeroy said.

There is a ray of hope for farmers with some rain and even snow in the forecast for this week.

“We have had dry conditions in May like this in history that have turned around, so it is not over yet,” Pomeroy said. “We need a rainy period in May which we call a million-dollar drizzle to soak these soils up.”

Some creeks are bone dry and bigger rivers are recording some of the lowest flows ever recorded, Pomeroy said.

angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser