Local Runoff Potential Still Well Below Normal

With Spring advancing rapidly the news is not good for area farmers were looking forward to runoff to help wash out dugouts and leave behind clean water the latest runoff report from the Saskatchewan Water Protection Agency (SWPA).

In their latest map the SWPA is still predicting well below normal potential runoff for the majority of the Moose Jaw region a mirror image of their initial report issued in February.

The lack of runoff is bad news for farmers - particularly cattle producers - who rely upon runoff to fill and overflow dugouts thereby washing out organic matter and sulfides which at higher levels can turn water deadly for livestock.

Runoff is also seen as major benefit for wildlife.

The Moose Jaw region remains in a drought area as defined by Agriculture Canada with farmers telling MJ Independent that there are no soil moistures reserves on their farms.

In 2020 the Moose Jaw region experienced the lowest recorded precipitation in 104 years when 179.6 millimeters or 7.04724 inches were recorded.

According to the SWPA report those with smaller dugouts and even lakes in the Qu’Appelle Valley may see lower than normal levels if there is not significantly more snow before Spring.

“Conditions over southcentral and south eastern areas, particularly east of Highway 4 and south of Highway 1, are particularly dry and have a snowmelt runoff potential. While surface water supplies at larger reservoirs are expected to be met in 2021, users that rely on smaller reservoirs/dugouts may see shortages continue or emerge in 2021 if snowpack conditions do not improve. Low levels on recreational lakes may occur during the summer months, particularly in the Qu’Appelle Valley,” the report stated.

Although the situation does not look good in the Moose Jaw region if there is more snowfall between now and Spring the runoff potential could improve.