(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Spring Runoff Outlook

Much of the province expecting below normal runoff: WSA

Apr 3, 2020 | 12:04 PM

After several years of above normal runoff potential in much of the province, this year’s forecast is much different.

Snowmelt runoff is already underway in much of southern and parts of central Saskatchewan.

“The well-above seasonal temperatures during March, combined with the lower snowpack and some of those lower moisture levels, is resulting in that spring runoff either sort of beginning or being close to complete,” in those areas, Water Security Agency (WSA) spokesperson Patrick Boyle told northeastNOW.

The remainder of the province’s runoff levels aren’t expected to be of concern.

The Melfort, Prince Albert, Tisdale, Hudson Bay, Wynyard, and La Ronge areas are all expected to see below normal runoff, while an area including Nipawin, Waskesiu, Meadow Lake, Lloydminster, and just north of North Battleford are forecast to be near normal.

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The Water Security Agency’s April spring runoff outlook (Submitted/WSA)

Boyle said Melfort has seen some snow over the last week, but won’t change the picture a lot, and may have even helped the region move to below normal from much below normal.

“Every year is different, that’s the thing about Saskatchewan, nothing is ever the same each and every year,” Boyle said.

The good news, Boyle said, is the region saw significant moisture in the fall, which could help mitigate some of the effects of the lack of snowpack.

The forecast for the coming week is pretty ideal for a gradual melt, according to Boyle.

“We look for that kind of gradual, 5 C, -5 C swing is ideal this time of year,” Boyle said. “Everything comes off kind of slowly and makes its way into creeks and streams and goes about that way, so that’s certainly kind of what we look for.”

However, Boyle cautioned we have seen significant snow in late April.

“We’re not out of it until we’re out of it,” he said.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974