Achi news desk-
The wet start to the well has caused water levels to rise in reservoirs across southern Alberta.
Although experts say we are not out of the woods yet when it comes to potential drought, the recent rain is making a big difference.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Lethbridge has received almost 90 millimeters of rain so far this month.
“It definitely helps,” said Mark Svenson, environment manager with the City of Lethbridge.
“The forecast at the moment is better than it was a few months ago when the reservoir levels were much lower. It is a blessing that we have seen this moisture.”
On Wednesday, the Oldman River reservoir was sitting at 62 percent, up from 40 percent two weeks ago.
The normal level is around 75 percent.
The St. Mary and Waterton reservoir are both more than 60 percent, but still below the normal level of 70 to 83 percent.
“The province right now is trying to catch every drop they can in the reservoir, which is why we’ve seen the increase,” Svenson said.
“The province only releases the water that is necessary to meet the requirements for the river and the downstream users.”
Brian Proctor, a meteorologist for ECCC, says there has been more rain than usual in Lethbridge, which has had moisture on 11 out of 22 days this month.
“On average, for May in Lethbridge, we’re seeing about 50 to 55mm, so we’re already above what we would normally see in a whole month of May, and it’s building on what we saw in March and March. April.”
That rain is proving beneficial for farmers after a dry winter.
Retired geography and environment professor Stefan Kienzle says humidity levels across Alberta are “above normal,” but cautions that people shouldn’t get their hopes up just yet.
“We are not completely out of the drought conditions,” he warned.
“The snowpack completely melted earlier than in normal years, and that means, typically, there is not enough moisture in the mountains to support streams and rivers at the end of summer.”
Earlier this month, the city announced it was cutting water use within city departments by 10 percent this summer, with the goal of reducing overall water use by 20 percent by 2030.
The city and Lethbridge County have both launched webpages to keep residents updated on water, ongoing conservation strategies and any restrictions in place.
