The City of Lethbridge says reservoir levels have improved since early 2024. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Southern Alberta reservoirs doing better than 2024, but still below norms

Feb 28, 2025 | 2:27 PM

With spring on the horizon, the City of Lethbridge has resumed weekly reporting of water levels in the area’s reservoirs.

As of Friday, February 28, 2025, the City says two of three local reservoirs are more full than they were at this time last year, but are still below historic averages:

• Oldman Reservoir
  • Current storage: 58%
  • 2024 storage: 30%
• St. Mary Reservoir
  • Current storage: 51%
  • 2024 storage: 12%
• Waterton Reservoir
  • Current storage: 34%
  • 2024 storage: 55%

As well, February’s update showed that five of six locations for the Oldman snow surveys were below the normal range. However, all six sites were 30 mm higher than in the same period last year.

Drought conditions in early 2024 prompted voluntary water-sharing agreements between the Government of Alberta and municipalities.

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The City of Lethbridge committed to reducing water usage during severe droughts and reporting reservoir levels.

“While it’s promising to see higher reservoir levels and snow surveys compared to last year, it’s not yet known whether these agreements will be necessary this year. Planning discussions with the province are expected to begin in the coming weeks,” reads a statement from the City of Lethbridge.

You can see the weekly reports on reservoir levels, and learn more about local water conservation efforts, on the City of Lethbridge website.

READ MORE: City of Lethbridge agrees to cut water usage by 10 per cent for potential drought scenario (2024 story)

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