Overview
The area around Lake Abraham and the Bighorn Dam in Alberta is experiencing notably dry conditions in 2025. This is reflected in both water level data and recent reports on reservoir storage and regional hydrology.
Water Levels and Reservoir Storage
- Bighorn Reservoir (which includes Lake Abraham) was at 55% of its total capacity as of late January 2025, which is significantly lower than average for this time of year[1].
- The Brazeau Reservoir, another major reservoir in the region, was also at 55% capacity at the same time, indicating a broader trend of reduced water storage in the area[1].
Reservoir | Date | % of Capacity |
Bighorn (Lake Abraham) | Jan 24, 2025 | 55% |
Brazeau | Jan 24, 2025 | 55% |
Drought and Dryness Reports
- The 2025 Alberta Water Supply Outlook noted that Lake Abraham had above-average snowpack earlier in the year, but the overall trend for the North Saskatchewan River system (which feeds the lake and dam) has been average to below-average water supply as the year progressed[2].
- Local observations and advisories confirm that water levels are lower than usual, and the surrounding area is experiencing dry conditions.
Contributing Factors
- Reduced snowmelt and precipitation in the region have contributed to lower inflows into the reservoir.
- Water management practices for flood mitigation often result in lower lake levels until mid-July, but the current levels are still considered low compared to historical averages[3].
Summary
- Lake Abraham and the Bighorn Dam area are currently much drier than usual.
- Reservoir storage is well below full capacity, and water levels are visibly lower.
- These conditions are consistent with broader trends of reduced water supply and ongoing drought in the region[1][2][3].
If you need more detailed or up-to-date figures, Alberta's river and reservoir monitoring sites provide daily updates on water levels and storage.
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- https://rivers.alberta.ca/forecasting/data/reports/Res_storage.pdf
- https://rivers.alberta.ca/Contents/WaterSupply/2025/4/epa-water-supply-outlook-report-april-10-2025-v4.pdf
- https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce8rg7wrXgd/
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