Mountain Water Supply Forecast Summary

As of February 1, 2007, natural runoff volumes or the March to September 2007 period are forecast to be below average for the Milk River basin, below average to average in the Oldman River basin, near average in the Highwood and Elbow River basins, and average to above average for the Kananaskis River, Bow River at Banff and Calgary, and the Red Deer and North Saskatchewan River basins (Table 1).

Precipitation can have a major impact on water supply between now and the end of September. The forecasts above assume that precipitation over the remainder of the winter period and through the summer will be normal. The range of possible precipitation scenarios is large however, and as a result, probable range forecasts and a minimal precipitation forecast of natural runoff volume are also provided for each individual basin. These can be found in tables within the writeups for each major basin. Since more information becomes known over time, streamflow volume forecasts are updated monthly until August.

Check our Forecaster's Comments throughout the month for updated information regarding runoff conditions.