Agency says minor flooding possible north of Yorkton

The province’s Water Security Agency continues to warn about the possibility of minor flooding in the Assiniboine River Basin north of Yorkton.

“That’s probably the biggest area of concern right now,” WSA spokesman Patrick Boyle said Tuesday.

An updated look at the situation released Tuesday said flows on the Whitesand River near Canora, about 45 kilometres north of Yorkton, are nearing their peak.

It added that ice remains on nearby Good Spirit Lake and that flows are still climbing on many tributary streams and on the main stem of the Whitesand.

“Peak flows are expected to be similar to the spring of 2013 and 2014. This would be well below peak levels observed in the spring of 2011 and summer of 2014,” the WSA said.

It added that flood-related issues “are expected to be limited and short term other than at closed basin systems already high from recent high runoff years.”

Temperatures, a key factor in how quickly the snowpack melts, are expected to be well above seasonal and near records on this week over east-central Saskatchewan, raising the possibility of a rapid melt. Boyle noted that temperatures generally remain well above freezing at night, thus increasing the daily melt.

There’s a chance of rain over east-central Saskatchewan on Friday that would add to runoff volumes, but is not expected to affect flooding.

Looking over the entire province, the WSA said snowmelt runoff is complete or nearly done over most of the agricultural part of the province aside from east-central areas.

Looking at specific lakes and regions, the WSA paints a mixed picture of water levels:

Buffalo Pound Lake is being maintained near the top of its summer operating range, with the WSA moving water from Lake Diefenbaker down the Qu’Appelle River to bring Pasqua and Echo Lakes up to near the top of their desirable summer operating range in time for recreation season.

Last Mountain Lake appears to be nearing a peak around the top of its desirable summer operating range. Mission and Katepwa Lakes have been holding steady below typical summer operating levels, but within their desirable summer operating range.

Crooked Lake is dropping slowly to within the desirable summer operating range. But Round Lake is at a record low level for this time of year and might remain at or near record low levels through 2016 if conditions remain dry. The WSA said it’s unable to operate the Round Lake control structure as land-control agreements are not in place with the federal government and First Nations in the area.

The Quill Lakes are expected to peak later this week, slightly above the record peak seen in 2015.

Fishing Lake is expected to peak later this week. Its outlet channel will open when Manitoba stages down outflows from Shellmouth Dam, as permitted under an interprovincial agreement.