Kim Fundingsland/MDN The International Souris River Board conducted a meeting at Minot’s Clarion Hotel Thursday. Members reviewed Souris River flows in 2019 and discussed early projections for 2020.

2020 has been declared a “non-flood year” by the International Souris River Board. The declaration came as no surprise with little snow on the ground throughout the Souris River basin and all reservoirs on the system sitting at or below their required draw down levels.

The board met Thursday and Friday at Minot’s Clarion Hotel. The board consists of representatives from the United States and Canada and is co-chaired by representatives from each country.

The ISRB is annually tasked with analyzing all available data from both sides of the border and making a determination as to possible impact of spring snowmelt in regard to potential flooding. A flood year is declared and certain water management procedures invoked when flows in the Souris are projected to meet a 1-in-10 years event.

During Thursday’s review of hydrologic conditions, including the spring 2020 hydrologic forecast, Jeff Woodward, hydrologist, Saskatchewan, told fellow board members that even though soil moisture over southern Saskatchewan ranged from 100% to 300% of average last fall the chances of flooding this spring were minimal.

“There is very little snow in the basin,” said Woodward.

He did add a bit of caution, saying, “It is still a little bit early yet for predictions.”

The most recent Flood Potential Outlook for the Souris issued by the National Weather Service placed the possibility of flooding along the river this spring at less than five percent on the western side of the basin and rising to approximately 30% at some downstream reaches where the Souris flows north into Manitoba.

Allen Schlag, NWS hydrologist in Bismarck, explained that even without visible snow cover there is still some flood risk due to ice on the ground and a high soil moisture content. Nevertheless, said Schlag, there is “not anything damaging” in the forecast for the Souris.

A possible problem with ice jams was discussed. Even that possibility of sudden but brief rises in Souris River flows was considered minimal. In some years flows are increased from Lake Darling to condition the river, break up the ice, prior to receiving the bulk of the snowmelt. That action is not considered necessary this spring due to low water levels and a low runoff projections.

According to Schlag, 2019 was an “unusual year.” He recapped that much of the northern tier of North Dakota was locked in a drought in June, so much so that some seeds never germinated in farmer’s fields. However, said Schlag, “The period of August through October was the wettest in 125 years of data.”

The meeting of the ISRB coincided with the Assinboine River Basin Initiative Conference and the International Souris River Study Board.