The snowfall in southeast Saskatchewan has been an inconvenience for some, while for the agriculture industry, it’s been a blessing. For some, though, they are hoping for even more precipitation. 

One of those is Shabbir Sakrani, the superintendent of the Water Treatment Plant in Weyburn. He said the snow, which will lead to runoff that ends up in Nickle Lake, will have a number of benefits for the community when it comes to water. The apparent one which most people will see right away is the increase of levels at Nickle Lake. The runoff was helped by how the precipitation fell. 

“We got light rain before the snowstorm, and that actually prepared the ground for immediate runoff,” Sakrani explained to Discover Weyburn. As the temperature starts to warm up in the coming days, the water will make its way to the reservoir that Weyburn draws its raw water from. How much it will improve the levels, though, remains to be seen.  

At the end of March, the water levels at Nickle Lake were 91.1 centimetres below full level. With approximately 22 centimetres of snow falling in the Weyburn area, that could equate to upwards of 15 centimetres for Nickle Lake, according to rough estimates. The increase in the water level isn’t the only benefit, though. 

“Our raw water quality improved,” Sakrani said, pointing out the benefits of the runoff, noting it will continue to improve as the snow melts and makes its way into the system. 

As for the hope for more precipitation, there is still a chance of more flurries today and tomorrow, as well as Sunday, and that forecast is one Sakrani is looking forward to.