Thirsty River Waits for Mountain Runoff, Seasonal Rains

Water levels at the South Saskatchewan River at Medicine Hat’s CPR bridge are revealing the base of the piers Thursday afternoon. (Photo Alex McCuaig)

Southern Alberta rivers are running at below average levels with several flowing into the red zone including the South Saskatchewan in Medicine Hat.

The low levels are being recorded as the spring runoff from the mountains has yet to peak and the usual seasonal wet springs have yet to materialize.

As of Thursday morning, the South Saskatchewan River is running below its minimum in-stream objective of 42.5 cubic metres a second for the third day in a row.

Alberta Environment’s mountain runoff forecasts for both the Oldman and Bow rivers, which form the South Saskatchewan just upstream of Medicine Hat, are predicted to be below to much below normal through to September.

Water shortage advisors have also been issued for six water bodies upstream of the Oldman dam including Pincher Creek along with Crowsnest and upper Oldman rivers.

Water shortage advisors have also been issued to tributaries of the Bow including Sheep and Highwood rivers along with Fish Creek.

There are currently 33 water shortage advisories province wide.

The Oldman dam reservoir level is currently running at 57 per cent of capacity while the St. Mary Reservoir is at 64 per cent. Reservoirs south of Medicine Hat which are fed by the Cypress Hills are currently running near or over capacity.

Lake Newell is also reporting levels of over 90 per cent capacity.

Soil moisture levels across Cypress and Newell counties are near or above normal with the M.D. of Acadia and Special Areas reporting high to very high levels in April.

The County of 40-Mile moisture levels are running between moderately low along its western portion to moderately high near Bow Island and its northern border.

Medicine Hat city council has introduced a new residential water metering system which will charge customers based on usage between April 1 and Oct. 31 as part of its water conservation efforts.

The green line represents the year to date flow rate for the South Saskatchewan River with the dotted line representing the average. (Graphic Courtesy of the Government of Canada)