Reservoir Storage Conditions

As of February 1, 2004, 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 slightly greater than at this time in 2001.

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

Water storage as of February 1, 2004 in the major hydroelectric and irrigation reservoirs of the Bow River basin is generally normal to below-normal except at the Upper Kananaskis Lake Reservoir which is above-normal. Water storage is similar to this time in 2001 and 2002.

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 Brazeau Reservoir is lower than last year and Lake Abraham is slightly higher.

In the Athabasca River basin, the storage level at the Paddle River Reservoir is lower than last year's.

February 1, 2004 reservoir data is available in (Table 1). As some reservoirs are shut down for the winter, the last available water level readings are posted.