Water levels in region give cause for cautious optimism

By Justin Sibbet
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Following the catastrophic flooding near Babb, Mont. after a siphon collapse, a certain level of optimism filled the air for irrigators in southern Alberta.

However, according to a news release issued on June 28 by the St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID), there has been almost no noticeable impact on reservoirs from the Babb incident.

“To date, SMRID has not received any significant additional water from Montana following the June 17 siphon-failure” the release states. “We are still receiving our allotted volume, but it is not more than our apportioned share. Lake Sherburne in Montana is capturing water upstream of the siphon failure and is currently sitting at 85 per cent storage. Once Lake Sherburne is full, some water will be released downstream into the St. Mary River.”

The SMRID says mountain snowpack is also showing less than ideal results when it comes to water run off.

“The Akamina and Many Glacier snow pillows both show no snow water equivalent (SWE) at the elevation of the pillows. However, there are reports that some snow has yet to run off at higher elevations.”

Following the catastrophic flooding near Babb, Mont. after a siphon collapse, a certain level of optimism filled the air for irrigators in southern Alberta.

However, according to a news release issued on June 28 by the St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID), there has been almost no noticeable impact on reservoirs from the Babb incident.

“To date, SMRID has not received any significant additional water from Montana following the June 17 siphon-failure” the release states. “We are still receiving our allotted volume, but it is not more than our apportioned share. Lake Sherburne in Montana is capturing water upstream of the siphon failure and is currently sitting at 85 per cent storage. Once Lake Sherburne is full, some water will be released downstream into the St. Mary River.”

The SMRID says mountain snowpack is also showing less than ideal results when it comes to water run off.

“The Akamina and Many Glacier snow pillows both show no snow water equivalent (SWE) at the elevation of the pillows. However, there are reports that some snow responsibly.”