ADVISORY

With the onset of warmer temperatures, Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is issuing water level advisories for the following locations:

• Fishing Lake near Wadena
• Waldsea Lake near Humboldt
• Wakaw Lake near Wakaw

Fishing Lake has risen by approximately 0.3 metres (m) since the fall, due in part to inflow over the winter.  The current level, 529.9 m above sea level, is the same level as the maximum recorded water level in 1997.  The lake is expected to rise by another 0.6 m over the next four weeks.  Fishing Lake will reach its highest water level ever recorded and will impact a significant number of cottages, homes and properties.  The most critical period will be as the ice begins to break up, in approximately 2 to 3 weeks.  The date of break up will depend on the weather conditions over the next few weeks.

Over the next several weeks, Waldsea Lake is expected to rise by 0.6 m higher than its highest recorded level.  The initial rise is expected to begin over the weekend and to continue over several weeks.  A number of structures and properties are expected to be impacted.

As indicated in the Watershed Authority forecast of April 5, 2007, Wakaw Lake is expected to rise to 509.9 m above sea level, which is about 0.6 m above normal summer water levels.  The peak water level will match the previous maximum recorded water from 1996.  Again, a number of structures and properties are expected to be impacted.  Water levels will begin to rise over the weekend, with peak water levels expected within the next two to three weeks.

River and streams in the east central and northeast part of the grainbelt in Saskatchewan are expected to rise in response to the snowmelt runoff caused by the warm and sunny conditions forecast for the upcoming weekend and into next week.

Initially flows will start increasing along the southern snow fringe, just north of the Yellowhead Highway, over the weekend and into early next week.  Based on the current forecasts, the snowmelt is expected to result in localized overland flooding, overtopping of roads in several areas which will impact the transportation systems, and there is a potential for some flooding of individual residences.

As the runoff makes its way to smaller streams and rivers, water levels are expected to rise significantly over weekend and into next week.  The melt is then expected to proceed northward towards the forest areas of the province.  Further streamflow advisories and flood warnings will be issued as conditions develop.

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For more information, contact:

Doug Johnson
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3959
Email: doug.johnson@swa.ca
Cell: 306-631-0740