WSA Releases 2025 Conditions at Freeze-Up Report
The Water Security Agency (WSA) has released its 2025 Conditions at Freeze-Up Report, providing an early look at water conditions across Saskatchewan heading into winter. As is typical for the province, conditions vary by region. While the report highlights areas that may be more vulnerable to above- or below-normal runoff, it is not a spring runoff forecast, as winter snowfall, one of the biggest drivers of spring runoff, cannot yet be reliably predicted.
Lakes and reservoirs within the Qu'Appelle, Souris, and Saskatchewan River basins are expected to be at or near normal levels before the 2026 spring runoff. Lake Diefenbaker inflows are anticipated to remain near normal throughout the winter. To manage lake levels, outflows from Lake Diefenbaker have been increased and are expected to sit within the middle of the normal operating range by March 1, 2026.
Two brief snowstorms prior to freeze-up in November brought light to moderate snowfall across much of the province, with the heaviest accumulations recorded near North Battleford, Melville, and southwestern Saskatchewan. Soil moisture at freeze-up is near adequate across eastern grain belt regions, while western areas and northern Saskatchewan are experiencing moisture deficits.
Long-range forecasts currently suggest slightly above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures through the winter months across much of Saskatchewan. At this time, WSA does not identify any areas with a heightened risk of above-normal spring runoff in 2026.
Throughout the winter, WSA will continue monitoring conditions across the province, including mountain snowpack, which plays a major role in spring streamflows. Snowpack surveys will be conducted at multiple locations to refine understanding ahead of spring. The Preliminary Spring Runoff Outlook for 2026 is expected to be released in early spring.
