The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency says most areas of the province have a moderate to a high drought risk next year.

The Water Security Agency reports parts of the south-central region—including Assiniboia and Coronach— have an extreme drought risk. The high-risk area covers a wider range of southern Saskatchewan, including Val Marie, Swift Current, Regina, Weyburn and Estevan. There is a low drought risk in the west-central region—covering the area south of North Battleford to Kindersley and Rosetown and west from the Alberta border east to Saskatoon. All other parts of the province are in the moderate risk for drought next year.

While it was dry in most areas of Saskatchewan after July, there have been a couple of major snow events in November and early December. The Water Security Agency is unsure whether moisture from this snow and future snowfall will sink into the soil this spring or runoff.

Even with the dry conditions experienced this fall, all major water supply reservoirs in southern Saskatchewan remain near normal operating levels for this time of year.