APRIL SPRING RUNOFF FORECAST FOR 2008

Spring runoff is progressing throughout the province slowly without causing major problems, except in the southwest where water supplies are expected to be short for 2008. The highest runoff potential exists in the area around Prince Albert and northward to the Churchill River. A rapid melt may cause higher peaks in this area, potentially causing some flooding of the grid roads and farm access roads and flooding of low lying agricultural areas.

Overall, mountain snowpack in the headwaters of the South Saskatchewan River is near normal and it is expected the runoff will be adequate to fill Lake Diefenbaker to normal levels.

"The weather patterns over the last several weeks with below normal precipitation, mild days and cold nights has meant a slow melt and a general reduction in flood potential," Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Nancy Heppner said.

Little snow, other than in tree lines, coulees and ditches, remains on the ground south and west of a line extending from Lloydminster down to Carlyle. North of this line, little snow has melted and there could still be problems in some places given the increased potential for a rapid melt. Recent snow in the southeast near Estevan, Carnduff and Moosomin is not expected to generate much runoff.

Very high water levels are expected again this spring on Waldsea, Deadmoose, Houghton, Lenore, Frog, Middle and Basin lakes. These lakes lie within the Lenore Lake sub-basin. This area is a closed basin, meaning that there is no stream that takes water away from this region. The high runoff experienced over the last two years has left the water levels in these lakes near record highs. As a result, although runoff in this area is forecast to be near normal, it is expected that water levels will exceed last year's peaks. Issues exist around the quality of the water in some of these lakes draining into Lenore Lake. The amount that is likely to spill into Lenore Lake from Houghton Lake will be more than last year.

The area north of Saskatoon which experienced higher runoff and flooding of acreages in 2007 is not expected to experience similar flooding in 2008. The exception is Duck Lake, which may experience water levels similar to last year. The lake expanded out onto agricultural land and threatened the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation in 2007. Homes and structures are not expected to be threatened this year, though the water levels on Duck Lake will be high.

There is a strong potential of water supply shortages in the region south of the Trans Canada Highway. Shortages could be expected to be worse near the U.S. border. The hardest hit area now is on the south slope of the Cypress Hills, Milk and Poplar River watersheds. Runoff is over in this area of the province. Existing reservoir storage levels are low, made worse by a very low runoff. Water shortages are expected for irrigation, stock watering and domestic water supplies, unless there is significant rain in the spring.

The Spring Runoff Potential map for April 1, 2008, is attached. The full April forecast is online at www.swa.ca under Water Management/Provincial Forecast.

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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