A low-flow advisory was issued for the South Saskatchewan River Basin on Wednesday.--News Photo Collin Gallant
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Water shortage advisories were expanded to the South Saskatchewan River Basin on Wednesday, meaning some water licence holders may be turned out of their wells.
The advisory follows similar advisories up stream from the river that flows through Medicine Hat. The Bow and Oldman river systems were put on alert in late August when levels fell after some tributaries were low as early as June.
The South Saskatchewan upstream and downstream of Medicine Hat is covered in the new advisory, as well as the Seven Persons, Bullshead and Ross creeks and the Maple Creek system in northern Cypress County.
City of Medicine Hat water officials have previously said they are not expecting operational problems or a shortfall, and levels are higher than in previous years.
The river flow at Medicine Hat on Thursday was up slightly from earlier this week, according to readings published by Alberta Environment. They were 37.6 cubic metres per second at the Medicine Hat station, but still only half the normal flow at this time of year.
Last week irrigation districts shut off delivery to members about two weeks earlier than usual and stated they would concentrate re-filling reservoirs heading toward winter freeze-up.
Lake Newell, which is fed by the Bow River, is currently at abut one-third its total capacity. Figures for the St. Mary’s Reservoir and the Oldman Reservoir were not published in the latest update at Sept. 28.
