It was a terrible year and a wonderful year, according to the director of the Global Water Futures program, which is led by the University of Saskatchewan.
John Pomeroy points to the pandemic affecting everyone, and notes that with the universities closed in particular during the lockdown, there were fewer opportunities for lab work and field research.
However, there were advances in the water research including multiple studies showing increased rain due to climate change, which has implications for communities, storm sewer design, the insurance industry and agriculture among others.
Pomeroy says they have also been starting to predict changes in the stream flow of the South Saskatchewan River and water supply for agriculture.
He expects we will be seeing more water flowing downstream because of snowier winters in the mountains, but that’s alongside warmer, drier summers on the Prairies.
Internationally, the Global Water Futures program has had great success in the launch of a planetary water prediction initiative.
To have a concentration of scientists working on water and climate change issues, and finding solutions, is unprecedented in Canadian history, Pomeroy says, and by the time the program ends in 2023, Canadians will be much safer.

The program began back in 2016 with $78-million in federal funding, but with additional support that has blossomed to $300-million.
Pomeroy suggests the Global Water Futures program has been successful economically with 190 professors funded at 18 Canadian universities, and around 960 Grad students, technicians, scientists and others being hired.
John Pomeroy is also the Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change at USask.