A dry end to 2017 and start to 2018 could lead to a below-to-well-below spring runoff in Southwestern Saskatchewan.

The dry conditions at the end of 2017 created some issues of water supply for livestock in the Swift Current area, but shouldn't create many flooding problems come spring time.

Patrick Boyle, a spokesperson for the Water Security Agency, said there are a lot of things that can change in the forecast between now and the spring.

"We look at the conditions going into winter, how much precipitation do we get during the winter, and how much rainfall we get during spring runoff," he explained. "At this point, it would take pretty above normal amounts of precipitation and snowfall from here on out to actually move the needle a whole lot."

 According to Boyle, the Swift Current office had an increase of about 900 water tests done around the fall of last year for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).

 The tests measure salinity which indicates the water quality, helping producers determine the quality for their livestock.

"Anytime you're getting dry conditions, you'll see high levels of TDS and that's not something you want to see for livestock," he said. "It can be a risk to livestock if they ingest that."

Boyle said there are still another eight-plus weeks for the spring runoff to possibly change, something that would be welcomed news for farmers.

"Producers are probably looking having some more precipitation," he stated. "Not only for soil and moisture content, which helps crop production but on the livestock side of things with water supplies."

A good rain in the springtime can change the runoff expectations.