The west central region has been hit with arctic-like temperatures for most of the new year, however with little to no precipitation in tow, it could mean a water shortage for producers.

With many producers reporting last summer and fall that they felt the effects of the lack of moisture last year, mother nature hasn’t provided much relief for the upcoming season.

According to a preliminary spring runoff outlook released by the Water Security Agency (WSA), “the dry conditions in last summer and fall of 2018 combined with below normal winter precipitation so far, below normal spring runoff is expected across most of southern Saskatchewan.”

Preliminary spring runoff outlook for 2019. Photo courtesy of the Government of Saskatchewan and the Water Security Agency.Previous reports from Brent Flaten, crop extension specialist, said the early snowfall in September was able to put some moisture in the soil before the ground froze, which would bode well providing more moisture was to come. Despite the September snowfall, the overall accumulation of fall precipitation was below normal, leaving dry soil conditions during freeze-up.

The WSA said the outlook could change as there is still 8 weeks or more of winter left for moisture to hit the ground. However, with the several months of below normal conditions preceding these final weeks of winter, the precipitation would have to be well above average from now until April to see any significant change to the spring runoff.

As a result, producers may experience similar water shortage issues faced last year. The WSA is anticipating agricultural water supply shortages that could intensify and expand across the southern regions of the province. Additionally, surface water supply may also be a concern for some municipalities and irrigators if conditions do not change.

Although it is not currently an optimistic outlook, the WSA stated they will continue to monitor conditions and provide an updated forecast in March.