With a dry summer and fall last year, and not a lot of accumulated precipitation this winter, experts are forecasting a below average to well below average spring runoff. 

"Currently the dry conditions we saw in summer and fall of 2017," explained Patrick Boyle with the Water Security Agency, "combined with this below normal precipitation so far, we're looking at a below normal spring run off to well below normal in the Estevan area this year."

"There wasn't a lot of rainfall last year, in a lot of areas. I think that many producers around that area could tell you that pretty quickly. From our perspective, unless we get above average precipitation in February and March and April, that could move the needle on things."

"We're not expecting that this year. Having said that, it could happen. Many people don't like hearing this but there's still a significant portion of winter to come. We have another eight to ten weeks, depending on who you talk to, of winter and snowfall and obviously some rains that can come later on in early spring." 

"We're expecting if normal conditions persist here, it's going to be a well below normal situation in Estevan."

He added that as of February 1st, Rafferty was down one centimeter below the draw down level.

"We didn't need to do any pre-runoff draw down. Certainly every year is different, it goes up and down."

"From our perspective, the whole province is looking at an above normal pocket by Meadow Lake, near normal in that area of Prince Albert and above. Below normal to well below normal in the grain-belt and going down into the southeast."