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Prairie Provinces Face Below Normal Moisture Levels
The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration reports November 1 1980 to April 30 1981 precipitation was under 50 percent of normal in parts of southwest Saskatchewan Yorkton to Roblin Manitoba and in Lake Manitoba Portage la Prairie regions while areas south of Lethbridge to Swan River saw under 75 percent. Groundwater near normal despite southeast and southwest pockets. Surface water in south Saskatchewan below normal with shallow wells in the southeast. Dugout pumping common though sourcing water is harder. Prolonged freeze thaw cycles broke topsoil increasing wind erosion and dust storms in April. A May spring storm brought 20 to 80 mm mostly wet snow to the Alberta foothills. Reservoirs in Alberta were normal at 30 April due to premature runoff but eastern Alberta reports low levels. Saskatchewan water prospects poor with Cypress Lake at 21 percent live storage and Downie Lake at 23 percent. Qu Appelle River lakes generally below desirable. Manitoba spring runoff well below normal. several reservoirs below desirable though smaller provincial ones adequate for summer. Dry April reduced soil moisture reserves five to 10 percent in southern districts across all three provinces. Rural Manitoba and Alberta water supplies adequate for now but possible rationing without rain. Saskatchewan communities already limiting use and rationing anticipated in Weyburn Kindersley Moose Jaw Melville. Urban supplies adequate in Manitoba and Alberta. High summer demand may outpace treatment and delivery capacity.