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Early flood forecast predicts no major issues in Northern Sask.

Feb 8, 2018 | 1:00 PM

Northern Saskatchewan should not experience any major flooding this spring, according to the Water Security Agency (WSA).

The WSA’s preliminary outlook for 2018 is forecasting normal spring runoff for Prince Albert and areas north. Executive Director Patrick Boyle said compared to other parts of the province, the Prince Albert area had more precipation during the summer and Fall months in 2017.

“Looking at those conditions going forward, combined with the amount of snowfall and precipitation we’ve had so far this year, we are looking at a near normal situation as it stands,” Boyle said

Meadow Lake and the Upper Churchill River Basin appear to be the only exception to the northern forecast as the region had extremely high rainfall last year which created a wetter than normal landscape at freeze-up. This area is expected to experience normal to slightly above normal runoff. 

Boyle cautioned runoff could still change as there is potentially another eight to 10 weeks of winter remaining. 

“A lot of people don’t like hearing that but that is the reality as a little less than half of our winter precipitation is still yet to come,” he said.

However, with dry fall conditions and below average winter precipitation to date, Boyle said it would take well above average precipitation in February, March and April to produce an above average spring runoff within southern areas of the province.

The WSA will issue its next forecast in March.

 

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertNOW