The City of Weyburn is reviewing and updating its flood response plans in readiness for the snow melt and water runoff. Sandbags, sand and gravel stockpiles and other unfrozen materials for building dikes are being updated. The Souris River flood gates are also being checked.

The likelihood of flooding will largely depend on the weather. If it warms up and the nights do not freeze up, then there is a possibility of flooding. However if the snow melt is slow and the nights are cold, then the water will soak in and there will be no flooding.

City Engineer Blaine Frank said that so far there has been a 150 per cent normal snow fall in Weyburn, but every year they have to get ready for the snow melt. He said that the situation looks okay for now, but the weather could change anytime.

"If the cold keeps on until April, then continuous day and night warm temperatures could create a sudden snow melt and result in water runoff, which the soil will not be able to soak up and flooding will occur. However if the nights are cold and the days are warm then there will be a slow snow melt and the soil will absorb the water," said Frank.

The engineer also advised residents to clear snow banks around their houses and especially the foundation as the melting snow water could weaken or damage the foundation and the basement of the house. He also said house owners should open up drainage so that the melt water can flow away.

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority spokesperson Dalvin Euteneier said a large water runoff is not expected as the soil should soak up most of the water. He noted last summer was very dry and the ground has huge cracks where the water will drain in.

Euteneier said going by the projections, the Rafferty reservoir was not expected to fill up this season and this means the water runoff is not expected to cause any floods.

He added that Nickle Lake is expected to fill up and spill some of its water into the Souris River, but flooding is not expected. He did caution, however, this all depends on the weather being normal. "If it changes then the forecast could be different," he said.