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By Alice McFarlane

Spring runoff in Saskatchewan

Water Security Agency outlines Saskatchewan runoff

Mar 12, 2026 | 3:41 PM

Most of Saskatchewan can anticipate near to below normal runoff this spring.   

In the Water Security Agency (WSA) spring runoff outlook for 2026, an area from Kindersley to Assiniboia in the southwest corner, is expected to have a well below normal runoff, while eastern Saskatchewan, from Wynyard to Yorkton, is expected to see above normal conditions.  

WSA President and CEO Shawn Jaques said the province is almost split in half.  

“Most of the province can anticipate near normal or below normal runoff. There’s kind of a stark contrast. The west side of the province is going to see below normal runoff. The eastern side around Yorkton; we’re seeing higher snow amounts. So, we’re anticipating above normal runoff there,” Jaques said. 

In the fall of 2025, the WSA said most of Saskatchewan experienced below average precipitation, leading to dry conditions at freeze-up.   

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Snowfall so far this winter has been near normal for precipitation in most of the province, with north and west central receiving above normal precipitation.  

The southern areas near the Manitoba boundary are reporting less than normal winter precipitation. The mountain snowpack in Alberta, which contributes significantly to May and June flows in the Saskatchewan River Basin, is well above normal.   

If mountain snowpack remains above normal, snowmelt runoff into Lake Diefenbaker is expected to be above normal this year. Jaques said most major water supply reservoirs in southern Saskatchewan, including Lake Diefenbaker and those in the Qu’Appelle River system, are at or above normal levels and are expected to be near normal levels following spring runoff.   

“With any of the snow melt or the runoff, it really depends on how that snow melts and when it does occur. So, right now, we’re not anticipating any flooding in the Qu’Appelle River,” he said.   

Not all parts of northern Saskatchewan have received a lot of snow this winter.  

“The northern part of the province, up around Prince Albert and Nipawin, there is above normal snowfall,” Jaques said. “But the far north in the Churchill River basin, we’re seeing a lower-than-normal runoff or anticipating lower than normal runoff there.”  

Drier conditions are expected to result in lower flows and lake levels for the Churchill River Basin.   

Jaques said an area they will be keeping an eye on is from Wynyard to Yorkton.  

“We’re going to watch this as spring approaches, and it really does depend on the temperatures and how quick this melt occurs. It’s something that the Water Security Agency will be keeping an eye on,” he added.   

As of late February, the snowpack in the Alberta prairie portion of the basin ranges from below normal to near normal. Jaques said they will monitor spring conditions with an eye on southern Alberta’s snowpack.    

The next spring runoff report will be released in early April. 

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com