Run-off forecast cautiously optimistic

REGINA — Although there are concerns in the Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford areas, Saskatchewan Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff says the first spring run-off forecast looks better than last year’s did.

“It’s just nice to see that we don’t have the same level of concern that we did last year at this time,” the minister said Thursday in Regina after the province’s Water Security Agency released its February forecast.

According to that forecast, above-normal run-off is expected this spring for the Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert regions, while the rest of the province is expected to see nearnormal levels.

“Last year was a record snowfall. We haven’t seen anything like that anywhere in the province, but we are concerned about Prince Albert and area,” Cheveldayoff said. “There are bodies of water that are very high and really have nowhere to go. So anything above normal in that area will be a concern.”

It is hoped that flood protection structures in place will alleviate the situation, Cheveldayoff said.

In a media release, the agency noted the February run-off forecast is based on limited precipitation data and should be used as a general guide for large areas. Local conditions might vary significantly.

Factors such as above-normal precipitation before the run-off or a fast melt could result in significant changes from what was included in the forecast, Cheveldayoff said.

“If we were talking two days ago, it would be a little different frame of mind than we are today because we had a significant amount of snow around the province the last couple of days. Things can change very quickly. That’s a lesson we learned last year for sure.”

Rural Municipality of Corman Park administrator Adam Tittemore said less run-off is expected than last year in the area based on current snowfall levels.

“There’s a lot of winter left, so we’re kind of crossing our fingers to see what we end up with by the time run-off actually begins,” Tittemore said.