Water Supply Outlook for Alberta

May 2006

Milk River Basin - Water Supply Forecasts

As of May 1, 2006, below average to average natural runoff volumes are forecast for the March to September 2006 period in the Milk River basin (Table 3a). Current forecasts in the basin range from 80 to 90% of the median, 14 to 37% higher than volumes recorded during the March through September 2005 period. Forecasts increased by up to 7% since April 1 forecasts were published. For the Milk River at Milk River, current forecasted values for the March to September 2006 period would rank 35th lowest in 91 years of record (1912-2001).

The first two months of the forecast period have been completed, with March-April 2006 recorded natural runoff volumes ranging from 99 to 121 % of average, which is average at Milk River and Eastern Crossing, and average to above average at Western Crossing. Recorded volume data is preliminary, and is subject to change. The remaining volume forecast, which is the March to September 2006 forecast minus the recorded volume to date, is available in Table 3b.


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