MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Alberta Environment has good news and bad news in
its water supply forecast for this summer.
The good news is that there is an above average buildup of snow in the
mountains which Albertans depend on for major water supplies. The bad
news is expect little to no runoff on the eastern side of the province.
The only area in reasonably good condition is a small region around
Grande Prairie, said Alberta Environment hydrologist Rob Keller.
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“Above average snow is not enough to get us back to normal,” Keller
told the Alberta chapter of the Canadian Water Resources Association.
His department has an extensive monitoring program that records current
weather conditions, snowpacks and potential runoff. Besides predicting
runoff, the department also monitors potential floods that follow heavy
rain or rapid snowmelt.
Mountain snow is a major source of water for the south so more
measurements are taken in the south.
The deepest snow is found in elevations over 1,830 metres. Below that
level, snow depths are average.
Forecasting includes comparisons of past climate patterns. The most
similar Alberta water supply situation occurred in 1988 and 1989.
“A lot of assumptions go into forecasts. It’s all about what’s yet to
come,” said Keller.
