North Saskatchewan River Basin - Water Supply Forecasts

As of May 1, 2006, natural runoff volumes for the March to September 2006 period are forecast to be below average into the Bighorn and Brazeau Reservoirs and at Edmonton, ranging from 84 to 95% of average (Table 7a). This represents a 1 to 4% increase since the April 1 forecasts. Current forecasted values for the March to September period for the North Saskatchewan River at Edmonton would rank 32nd 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 at the Brazeau Reservoir being the seventh lowest in 41 years of record at 74% of average. The Bighorn Reservoir recorded natural runoff which was above average at 117% of average and Edmonton recorded normal natural runoff volumes at 105% of median. 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 7b.