“Near- to below-normal runoff expected for most of Sask. in spring: WSA

The WSA says snow cover persisted across central and northern Saskatchewan while melt conditions advanced further south. Pike Lake Near Saskatoon, April 6, 2026 (Jenna Coates/Water Security Agency)

Runoff is expected to be near or below normal for most of Saskatchewan. According to an update by the Water Security Agency (WSA).

Over the last month, the WSA monitored conditions across the province, with additional manual snow surveys at 12 sites on April 9 and 10 to supplement the efforts.

Due to an accumulation of additional snow mainly in central parts of the province since March 1, the report said above-normal runoff is expected across those areas.

Well-above-normal runoff is also expected in east-central Saskatchewan.

According to the report, an above-normal snowpack in the Quill Lakes Basin is expected to result in an above-normal runoff.

Lakes within the Qu’Appelle River Basin are expected to stay in normal operating ranges, and runoff is expected to range from below normal to above normal in the Churchill River Basin.

The report said most major water supply reservoirs in the southern part of the province have runoff levels at or above normal levels for this time of year, with the exception of McDougald and Harris.

The WSA also continues to monitor basin conditions at Lake Diefenbaker, which is above the median but still within the normal operating range.

Reservoirs are projected to stay within normal operating ranges in the Souris River Basin, the report said.

The WSA says it will continue to monitor and report on water supply reservoirs and landscape conditions.

The full runoff report can be found here.