Water Security Agency Drought Preparation
Due to the well below normal precipitation Saskatchewan has faced the last few years, the Water Security Agency (WSA) is keeping an eye on the sky and implementing a conservative approach to how water levels are operated over the winter to ensure all users of our reservoirs continue to have a sustainable and reliable water supply this spring and summer.
Reservoirs
Outside of Southwestern Saskatchewan, most reservoirs are above average elevation for this time of year. This is because the precipitation that has been received has occurred at the right time allowing us to retain an adequate water supply.
WSA will monitor water supply reservoirs closely to allow us to adapt to dry conditions if required and work internally and across government to identify opportunities and programming to support residents in times of drought.
Forecasted Levels for Major Reservoirs and Rivers
Lake Diefenbaker Reservoir
In anticipation of lower-than-normal inflows again in 2024, WSA is moving up its targeted reservoir levels for Lake Diefenbaker. WSA’s goal is to achieve the targeted level for irrigation and recreational users earlier in the season. For example, the target April reservoir level is 552 m, which is normally the May target; while the May target is 553 m, normally a June target. These levels throughout the summer months keep the reservoir in the normal operating range. Depending on the amount inflows this season, adjustments to outflows would be made accordingly.
See Historical Lake Diefenbaker Inflows
See Lake Diefenbaker Overwinter Operating Plan
Rafferty, Boundary and Grant Devine Reservoirs
With near normal conditions at freeze-up in 2023 and what is currently projected to be well below normal snowpack, the snowmelt runoff response is expected to be below normal above the three reservoirs, and below normal below the reservoirs. With the dry conditions in the basin, no additional releases will be required.
As of February 1, 2024, only Boundary Reservoir has the potential to be filled this spring. Any excess water from Boundary would be diverted to Rafferty. Currently, Rafferty Reservoir is expected to be in the normal operating range.
Southwest Reservoirs
Following several days of above freezing temperatures this winter, much of the limited snowpack across the southwest melted. In the Big Stick Lake Basin near Maple Creek, the limited snowpack has melted with very little inflow to reservoirs. A similar situation exists in other areas of the southwest, where the snow cover has disappeared with minimal snowmelt runoff response being reflected in stream flows. More precipitation is needed through the remainder of the winter for many of the reservoirs across the southwest to have a chance of reaching full supply level this spring.
Qu’Appelle System
All lakes within the Qu’Appelle River Basin are at near normal levels for this time of year. Release from the Qu’Appelle River dam has been reduced from 2 cubic metres per second (m3/s) to 1 m3/s due to the low water levels. Most lakes, including Buffalo Pound, Echo, Katepwa and Last Mountain are expected to be in the normal summer operating ranges.
North and South Saskatchewan River Flows
Flows into Saskatchewan on the South Saskatchewan River this year were near record low, second only to 2001 when total annual flows were lower. Flows on the North Saskatchewan River are near normal, so the drought is not currently affecting these rivers.
Snowpack
There is still a significant amount of winter remaining with the potential for the situation around snowpack to change. The current snowpack is ranging from below to well-below normal.
The snowpack in the mountains is well below normal because of the warmer temperatures. Alberta’s winter precipitation is also currently below normal although these conditions may shift over the remaining winter months as significant snowfall events are common in late winter.
Drought Response for Stakeholders & Communities
Communities
WSA will continue to assess drought risk including further identifying communities that may have issues with their drinking water supplies.
Agriculture
WSA is working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation to ensure that we have a coordinated approach to provide appropriate support to producers. We will continue to provide timely support to Ministry of Agriculture for agricultural drought programs Agricultural Drought Programs and Resources | Drought in Saskatchewan | Government of Saskatchewan.
To contact Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporate, please visit: Homepage | SCIC
Spring Runoff Reports
- Runoff Report (coming in March)