Mountain Water Supply Forecast Summary

As of February 1, 2008, natural runoff volumes or the March to September 2008 period are forecast to be below average for the Milk River basin, below average to average in the Oldman and Highwood River basins, near average in the Elbow, Kananaskis, Spray and Cascade River basins, below average for the Bow River at Banff and Calgary and the North Saskatchewan River basin, and below average to average in the Red Deer River basin (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.