Despite being in a region that's been soaked for multiple weeks from the spring snowmelt and several consecutive weather systems dropping significant amounts of precipitation, hopes of Winkler's aquifer recharging didn't happen.
Because of the frost levels in the ground, Mayor Martin Harder said the frost in the ground has not allowed the water flowing from the Dead Horse Creek, the aquifer's main recharging source, to seep in.
A recent progress check on the recharge of Winkler's aquifer following the spring snow-melt and recent weather events that brought significant amounts of precipitation to the region came up with the unexpected find.
Harder said it will be even more important going forward that they're able to hold water back and they're able to allow water to run over the aquifer after the frost is out of the ground.
"The more we can hold back, the better we are...Unfortunately, it comes and it goes," added Harder talking about the surface water that we often see creating problems for people elsewhere.
"Downstream, as we well know the Red River levels are significantly high this time of year, and we contribute towards it. So the more we can hold back, the better off we are."
Harder said that highlights a big reason the city joined the Pembina Valley Watershed District in 2021, and began working with them unofficially even before that. He noted the city is currently working with the watershed district on a number of projects with the goal of creating areas that would hold water back or allow it to sit around long enough to penetrate into the aquifer.