Even though the South Saskatchewan River is running low right now, the reservoirs in the region are sitting in better shape than last year.--NEWS PHOTO
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The river is low, but reservoirs that fill it all summer long are in better shape than last spring when a series of water-sharing agreements and conservation measures were enacted to ensure supply across the basin.
Currently for the South Saskatchewan River at Medicine Hat, levels have remained at or below its normal bottom range since April, but with more water in storage the longer outlook is stronger.
“We’re fed by two rivers, and on the Bow the storage reservoirs are in the normal range, and on the Oldman, a little below normal,” said Jamie Garland, director of Medicine Hat’s environmental utilities department.
“Where we are compared to last year is quite a bit better, but we haven’t seen the rain or runoff that we did last year yet. We’re continuing to monitor, but we don’t have any immediate concerns right now.”
Alberta Environment is predicting river levels slightly above last year on the Bow, but slightly less on the Oldman – the two join west of Bow Island to form the South Saskatchewan.
That could produce levels in the bottom quartile of years over the last hundred years, but not likely levels that would cause a local emergency, said Garland.
He said the city has updated its water management plan that was overhauled in 2024 as continued drought and the potential for widespread water shortages were considered.
That only led to voluntary conservation goals after spring precipitation avoided crisis levels on major waterways, but stepped restrictions could be enacted this year should things change.
“The community reaction last year with conservation efforts was great, and we’re confident that if we’re tapped on the shoulder by our partners (in the region) that the community will react again,” said Garland.
In 2024, the city signed onto a 10 per cent savings target as part of a basin-wide framework, and eventually reported that changes at city operations and residential efforts led to a 17 per cent reduction.
Historically, the river at Medicine Hat begins to rise in the second half of May toward its annual high point, typically in the third week of June. That month is also the rainiest in Medicine Hat.
The St. Mary’s Irrigation District told members in early May that its system-wide storage level is now 70 per cent as water delivery began last week.
