Leader, Sask. declares state of emergency due to low levels in the South Saskatchewan River

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 14, 2023.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

Low levels on the South Saskatchewan River have led to a state of emergency in the Town of Leader, Sask., as new pumping intake is installed.

The town made the declaration Dec. 5 and expects it to be in effect until the end of the month. Restrictions are not in place, but residents are asked to be conscious of their usage. The order allows the municipality to more quickly undertake work to alter the intake and adjust it to draw water at lower levels in the river.

Mayor Aaron Wenzel said in a release the town has been in contact with the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency for several months about the issue and disruptions would be minimal.

“(The town) will be able to instal urgent pumping equipment at the river intake site within the regulations of the Water Security Agency,” reads a statement. “(It will also) create awareness, within the province, of the effect the drought and other projects diverting water from the river have had on the town’s drinking water supply.”

Levels in the South Saskatchewan River have been much lower than average since the early summer and into the fall as irrigation districts in Alberta divert water to refill reservoirs ahead of winter.

This month Alberta Minister of Environment and Protected Places Rebecca Schulz told reporters her department was engaging large water users and municipalities about potential contingency planning and sharing agreements if conditions don’t improve in the spring.

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