The Water Security Agency recently completed consultation on a draft policy that would use a per-network approach to retaining a certain percentage of wetlands. | File photo

Sask. wetland plan to have local focus

YORKTON, Sask. — Saskatchewan continues to wrestle with how best to allow agricultural water drainage while retaining wetlands. The Water Security Agency recently completed consultation on a draft policy that would use a per-network approach to retaining a certain percentage of wetlands. It would use a floor concept within the network, or a conservation and […] Read more

Saskatchewan’s proposed wetland stewardship policy has been criticized for a lack of meaningful enforcement and an inadequate ability to separately manage runoff and permanent wetlands.  |  File photo

Critics unhappy with proposed wetland policy

University of Regina researcher says embedding wetland policy within an agricultural drainage framework is backwards

REGINA — Critics of a proposed wetland stewardship policy in Saskatchewan say it fails to properly address the issue. Academics who sat in on consultations about the plan said it focuses more on agricultural development than retaining wetlands and habitat, and they don’t believe the Water Security Agency’s data that says 86 percent of Saskatchewan […] Read more

The South Saskatchewan River is currently at its second lowest level in the past 23 years, as seen in early December 2023.  |   Alex McCuaig photo

Alberta, Sask. regions prepare for continued drought

The smaller St. Mary Reservoir has seen its levels rise to four percent of capacity from a low of two percent

The continuing drought across Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan are prompting warnings from the two provincial governments as precipitation remains elusive and moisture deficits extend into winter. “We need to make sure we have a plan in place to address these water shortages,” said Alberta’s Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz, warning of El Nino, which weather […] Read more


A group of cattle stand in the water of a dugout.

Sask. makes water, vacant land available

Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency has announced it will make water and vacant land available to farmers and livestock producers during the drought. The agency owns and manages land across the province and those who live near these lands can contact it to see if under-used or vacant land is available. “With the well-below normal amounts […] Read more

A flooded field with crop planted.

Sask. allots funds for flood, drought preparation

A cost-share arrangement with Ottawa will result in final flood maps for 22 priority communities in the next three years

The Water Security Agency is working with Natural Resources Canada to build its flood mapping program, and a cost-share arrangement with Ottawa will result in final flood maps for 22 priority communities in the next three years.



A cow and her calf stand near a tree on snow covered ground, with blowing snow all around them.

Spring storm tough on cattle producers

According to Environment Canada, Regina received more than 20 cm, Qu’Appelle got 37 cm and Weyburn got 60 cm.
 Accumulations were generally lower in southwestern Manitoba than they were in southeastern and south-central Saskatchewan.