The winter thaw earlier this year has recharged the Prince Edward Island water table.
Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment Chester Gillan said water table elevations in most locations are back within their normal range for this time of year.
The dry weather last fall saw water table elevations decline throughout the fall and early winter. However, a stretch of milder weather in late February and early March resulted in a significant melting of the snowpack.
"Because there was little frost in the ground, when the snow melted it soaked into the ground, recharging groundwater supplies," said Minister Gillan.
The Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment maintains 12 observation wells across the province where groundwater table elevations are monitored on a continuous basis. In most locations, Minister Gillan said there has been a one to three metre rise in the water table this past month. While the majority of the snowpack has melted, the recent snowfall and heavy rains in early spring will lead to additional recharge, he added.
Local well drillers have reported an increase in the number of dry wells in Prince Edward Island this year. The recent rise in the water table elevations should help to alleviate these situations.
Graphs showing water table elevations at provincial monitoring sites can be found on the web site at http://www.gov.pe.ca/go/watertable. For further information on water table elevations, contact the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, Water Resources Division, at (902) 368-5044 or toll free 1-866-368-5044.