Southern Alberta reservoir levels dropping

Water levels in southern Alberta reservoirs are dropping and there is not any substantial rainfall on the horizon. The Oldman reservoir on Tuesday was at 76 per cent of capacity, down from the 85 to 94 per cent that is normal for this time of year. The St. Mary Reservoir is also below normal, at 71 per cent of capacity compared to the normal level of 76 to 92 per cent. The Waterton Reservoir, however, is within its normal range of 77 to 92 per cent, sitting at 84 per cent of capacity. While a small amount of rain fell in the area on Tuesday night and a bit more was forecast for yesterday, in coming days there is only a slight chance of precipitation hitting Lethbridge with the best bet for Sunday and Tuesday when there is a 40 per cent chance of less than one millimetre falling. Further to the west, Pincher Creek and the Crowsnest Pass were getting rain on Wednesday. Cardston and Waterton were also expected to receive small amounts of precipitation on Wednesday. The City of Lethbridge remains on voluntary water restrictions. Reservoir levels are only one of several triggers that are contained in the City’s water rationing action plan. According to that plan, the trigger to enact any stage of the plan will be at the discretion of the City engineer but will include five elements: 1. Water levels in the Oldman Reservoir: Stage 1: Oldman Reservoir level is below the 5th percentile. Stage 2: Oldman Reservoir level is below the 3rd percentile. Stage 3: Oldman Reservoir level is below the 1st percentile. Stage 4: Discussion with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. 2. Snowpack data from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. 3. Water supply forecast from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. 4. River flows into the Oldman Reservoir. 5. Consensus of the signatories to activate any water sharing agreements that Lethbridge may be party to. There are five stages in the action plan. The first includes a demand reduction target of five per cent and violation charges of a letter and possible $100 charge for residential users and a letter and possible $500 violation charge for Industrial/Commercial/Institutional users. 

The second stage calls for a reduction target of 10 per cent, the third stage a 15 per cent reduction target, the fourth has a 20 per cent target while the fifth calls for maximum effort in reducing water usage. Possible violation charges increase with each level reached. Should Stage 1 be implemented, prohibited actions will include watering that results in runoff, including to ditches, swales, storm drains and gutters. That includes lawns, trees, shrubs, gardens and bedding plants, washing or hosing down sidewalks driveways and streets, water for washing vehicles at locations other than commercial car washes, washing vehicles in driveway, fundraising car washes and washing down outdoor surfaces such as exterior buildings, sidewalks, driveways, walkways, outdoor furniture, patios and decks. Filling of private in-ground or portable pools, hot tubs and spas larger 3,000 litres will also be prohibited as well as water used for fountains and decorative features. Watering will be allowed in Stage 1 for up to two hours on a designated day before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Restrictions increase with each stage that is activated.