The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency develops comprehensive basin run-off projections each spring for river basins the impact the province. It matters in Minot because much of the Souris River’s upper basin lies in Southern Saskatchewan, and the water that runs off there passes through Minot before it heads back North into Manitoba. As of the March 15 report, the the 2025 run off event is projected to be ‘near normal.’
From the report:
“Souris River Currently, both Grant Devine and Rafferty reservoirs are below their February 1 drawdown target elevations. The snowpack in the basin generally ranges from above normal above the reservoirs to slightly below normal below the reservoirs.
A near normal runoff response is forecast for inflows into Rafferty and Grant Devine, and Boundary reservoirs. Flows below the reservoirs are also forecast to be near normal this spring due to a limited snowpack. Both Boundary and Grant Devine reservoirs are expected to fill this spring. Any excess water from Boundary will be diverted to Rafferty. Currently, Rafferty Reservoir is expected to be in the normal operating range.
Detailed forecasts for the Souris River Basin are developed on or near the first and fifteenth of each month, beginning in February, up until the snowmelt runoff event. These forecasts can be found on wsask.ca.
