SASKATOON – Mountains of white have piled up high on local properties and streets which has some residents watching with a wary eye, thinking about where all of that melted snow will end up come spring.
A preliminary forecast is predicting that this year’s spring runoff will be above normal across much of Saskatchewan.
The Water Security Agency says the snowpack is triple the average for this time of year in some parts of the province.
“But we know those areas between Prince Albert and Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Yorkton have potential for well-above normal runoff,” says agency spokesperson Patrick Boyle.
Spring moisture depends on a number of conditions, he said.
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“There are a number of things that have to happen before we can have a good idea. The snow the rest of the winter … the rate of melt and the rainfall all play a big factor.”
Updated forecasts are expected to be released in early March and April.
On Sunday morning, a broken water main spilled into 8th Street traffic disrupting Saskatoon traffic and some think this could signify a soggy start of what’s to come this spring.
Global meteologist Peter Quinlan said there was about 32 centimetres of snow on the ground in the Bridge City yesterday and that is the largest amount seen in 5 years on that day.
The city of Saskatoon is reassuring residents that they have flood preventive plans and measures in place to make sure it doesn’t put too much strain on aging infrastructure like water mains.
“Melting snow… depends on how quick or how fast the snow melts, depends how problematic it can be in the spring we’re working on plans this winter so we can attack it the best way possible come spring,” said Trent Schmidt, water and sewer manager.
The city has already raised the snow removal budget by $800,000 bringing the total so far to $1.2 million.
Schmidt says a slow gradual melt is desirable to avoid a rushing flood come spring and this week’s mild temperatures are sure to help with that.
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