Phillips Reservoir at full pool; low snowpack having negative impact on water flowing in

In an update to City of Cranbrook council at its regular meeting on Monday night, city administration provided an update on the water levels in Phillips Reservoir, the primary source of water for the City of Cranbrook.

Administration noted that the Phillips Reservoir is currently full and spilling over the spillway and has been for the past eight weeks.

Staff were expecting the low snowpack to provide less water flowing into the city’s watershed, and that is exactly what is happening.

“The large culvert at the Gold Creek Reservoir used to release water to protect the earth filled dam, on a typical year through April to June would be running half full, which is a significant amount of water. However, this year we are only seeing a steady flow of only three inches out of that culvert, which only started over the past two weeks,” said Jason Perrault, Deputy Director of Public Works.

“We are also seeing about 16 inches less water volume overall in the small reservoir at Gold Creek compared to last year, which was also a very low snowpack year.

“Joseph Creek is also seeing less water coming down from the watershed, and we need to contribute a significant amount of water from the Gold Creek source into Joseph, so we can maintain flow requirements downstream,” Perreault added.

With the creek flows being even lower than 2023, and lower than the average, the City of Cranbrook will continue to hold outdoor water restrictions at Stage 2. This is a precautionary measure to store as much water as possible for when the temperatures increase later this spring and summer.

Under Stage 2 water restrictions, even numbered properties may water on Monday and Thursday. Odd numbered properties may water on Tuesday and Friday. You can water 5 to 10 a.m. OR 8 to 11 p.m. – not both.

No watering is allowed on Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday.

Find the most up-to-date information on the current watering restrictions.

e-KNOW file photo

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