Climate Change and Water in the SSRB
According to Environment Canada, the Canadian Prairie provinces have seen a warming trend over the past 50 years, with the largest increases in the winter months (about 3°C) and the least over the summer months (about 0.2°C). With the rise in temperature, snow-fall precipitation has decreased, while spring snow melt is occurring earlier. Climate change projections also suggest that further warming of about 1°C to 3.5°C will occur across Canada over the next century. Projections concerning precipitation are more uncertain. Soil moisture conditions and the availability of water in rivers and reservoirs will depend upon the combined effects of changes in precipitation and evaporation.
Potential Impacts for the SSRB
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Changes in annual streamflow (possibly with large declines in the summer) have implications for hydroelectric generation, the economy, society, water apportionment, and ecosystems
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Increased likelihood of severe drought and increasing aridity in semi-arid zones could result in losses in agricultural production and changes in land use
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Changes in irrigation demand and water availability during the irrigation season would have uncertain impacts on farm sector incomes, groundwater, streamflow and water quality
Courtesy of NRCan