“Above to well above normal snowmelt runoff yields are expected across central areas of the province,” the report says.
For many southern Saskatchewan producers still reeling from last year’s drought conditions, a recent report on the spring runoff outlook may not offer much comfort.
And perhaps no comfort at all, for those in the southwest.
A news release, sent to accompany the Water Security Agency’s (WSA) March 1 report, states the organization “is currently expecting a below to well below normal snowmelt runoff response over much of southern Saskatchewan.”
“Only areas east of Moose Jaw are forecast to receive near or above normal runoff,” the release reads.
That’s in contrast to central and northern parts of the province where the organization says there is “significant snowpack.”
By the end of November 2021, some $2.4 billion in crop insurance had been shelled out in Saskatchewan — the largest payout in the province’s history.
“Most of the province went into winter with drier than normal moisture conditions,” the report states, noting a strip from around Saskatoon running southwest to Maple Creek was the driest.
“In these areas, exceptional agricultural drought conditions existed prior to freeze up,” the report reads.
And while the report indicates “snow accumulations to date have generally been near to above normal across most of southern Saskatchewan,” it goes on to say the exception is the southwest, “where many areas have very little snow present at this time.”
For the most part, water supplies from major reservoirs within the province are expected to keep up with demand, according to WSA communications manager Sean Osmar.
But according to the report, agricultural water supply issues could arise, if things stay dry. Particularly in the southwest.
Quality issues with available water could occur as well, Osmar said.
“The lakes and the water systems in the south are susceptible to things like blue-green algae.”
As algae blooms in these bodies of water, the WSA advises producers to switch livestock to an alternate source.
The report outlines a shift in potential runoff since the WSA released a preliminary report in February. At that time, all of the southern part of the province had a “near normal” or below potential for runoff. A semi-circular section running toward the Alberta border from Maple Creek, north past Kindersley, and East toward Lucky Lake was considered to have “well below normal” potential.
Now, although runoff potential looks to have improved in the southeast part of the province, the “well below normal” zone has increased in size to include a swath down toward Coronach, and a leg extending northeast toward Saskatoon.
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