Reservoirs maintaining normal levels

Southern Alberta Newspapers

Despite the lack of rainfall, most reservoirs in the Oldman and South Saskatchewan river basins remained at normal levels.

Earlier this month, the Oldman reservoir was at 61 per cent capacity, which is below normal for this time of year. St. Mary Reservoir (58 per cent) and Waterton (54 per cent) were both in the normal range as were Keho, Pine Coulee, Chin, Forty Mile, Milk River Ridge and Payne Lake.

David Westwood, general manager of the St. Mary River Irrigation District on SMRID’s website in late August stated to irrigators that the water allocation will remain at 12 inches and shutoff for the season is set for Oct. 9.

Westwood says due to rainfall during the irrigation season, the combined storage capacity is considered average for a non-drought year. But despite decreased irrigation demand because of rainfall, SMRID anticipates winter levels will be slightly below target for the upcoming winter. But it is confident winter storage levels will be sufficient and is optimistic about next year’s irrigation system.