Southern Alberta reservoirs see water levels rise, dry summer still possible
The wet start to the spring has caused water levels to rise in reservoirs throughout southern Alberta.
While experts say we aren't out of the woods yet when it comes to a potential drought, the recent rain is making a big difference.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Lethbridge has received nearly 90 millimeters of rain so far this month.
"It definitely helps," said Mark Svenson, environment manager with the City of Lethbridge.
"The outlook right now is better than it was a few months ago when the reservoir levels were much lower. It is a blessing that we've seen this moisture."
As of Wednesday, the Oldman River reservoir was sitting at 62 per cent, up from 40 per cent two weeks ago.
The normal level is around 75 per cent.
Both the St. Mary reservoir and Waterton reservoir are at more than 60 per cent, but still below the normal level of 70 to 83 per cent.
"The province right now is trying to capture every drop that they can in the reservoir, which is why we've seen the increase," Svenson said.
"The province is only releasing the water that is necessary to meet the requirements for the river and the users down stream."
Brian Proctor, a meteorologist for ECCC, says there has been more rainfall than usual in Lethbridge, which received moisture on 11 out of 22 days this month.
"On average, for the month of May in Lethbridge, we see about 50 to 55mm, so we're already above what we would normally see in a whole month of May, and it's building on what we saw in the months of March and April."
That rain is proving beneficial to farmers after a dry winter.
Retired geography and environment professor Stefan Kienzle says moisture levels across Alberta are "above normal," but warns people shouldn't get their hopes up just yet.
"We are not out of the drought conditions completely," he cautioned.
"The snow pack melted out earlier altogether than in normal years, and that means, typically, that there is not enough moisture in the mountains to support streams and rivers in the late summer."
Earlier this month, the city announced it was cutting water usage within city departments by 10 per cent this summer, with a goal to reduce overall water consumption by 20 per cent by 2030.
The city and Lethbridge County have both launched webpages to keep residents up to date with the latest water information, ongoing conservation strategies and any restrictions in place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting: Suspect appeared to be 'lying in wait'
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.
BREAKING Multiple people stabbed in downtown Vancouver: police
A 'number of people' were stabbed in downtown Vancouver Wednesday before the suspect was shot by police, authorities say.
Warm, wet winter expected in much of Canada, say forecasters
Federal forecasters expect a warmer-than-normal start to winter in most of Canada, with more precipitation than usual in parts of the country.
Air Canada to bar carry-on bags for lowest-fare customers
Air Canada plans to bar carry-on bags and impose a seat selection fee for its lowest-fare customers in the new year.
French government toppled in historic no-confidence vote
French opposition lawmakers brought the government down on Wednesday, throwing the European Union's second-biggest economic power deeper into a political crisis that threatens its capacity to legislate and rein in a massive budget deficit.
Why are some Canada Post outlets still open during CUPW strike?
As many postal workers continue to strike across the country, some Canadians have been puzzled by the fact some Canada Post offices and retail outlets remain open.
opinion Tom Mulcair: The one place in Canada where Poilievre can't break through is Quebec
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says Pierre Poilievre has only himself to blame for his poor performance in the polls in Quebec.
$80-million jackpot: 2 winning tickets sold in Canada
There are two winners of the $80 million Lotto Max jackpot, Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) has announced. The prize will be split between two tickets sold in Quebec and Alberta, respectively.
2 Quebec men top Bolo Program's latest Top 25 list of Canada's most wanted
Two men believed to be central figures in Quebec’s violent and ongoing drug conflict topped the Bolo Program's latest Top 25 list of Canada's Most Wanted fugitives.