Reservoir Storage Conditions

As of December 1, 2003, water storage in the major irrigation reservoirs in the Oldman River basin is below-normal, except at Chain Lakes Reservoir which is normal. Water storage in the basin is much greater than at this time in 2001.

Water storage in the major reservoir of the Red Deer River basin is above-normal, similar to last year at this time.

Water storage as of December 1, 2003 in the major hydroelectric and irrigation reservoirs of the Bow River basin are generally normal to below-normal except the Upper Kananaskis Lake reservoir which is above-normal. Water storage for all reservoirs is greater than at this time in 2001.

Storage levels in the major hydroelectric reservoirs in the North Saskatchewan River basin are below-normal for the Brazeau Reservoir and normal for Lake Abraham. Water storage in the basin was similar last year at this time.

In the Athabasca River basin, the storage level at the Paddle River Reservoir is lower than last year's, and in the South Heart Reservoir, the storage level this year is significantly greater than last year's.

December 1, 2003 reservoir data is available in (Table 1). As some reservoirs are shut down for the winter, the last available water level measurements are posted.