Regina and Moose Jaw could be among the hardest-hit communities when the spring runoff gets underway, the provincial government says.

On Monday, the Water Security Agency (formerly the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority) released its March forecast and outlook for spring runoff. The agency predicts an above-normal runoff for most of the province.

There are two zones where runoff is expected to be "very high" — meaning a once-in-25-year event.

One of them is a region that includes Regina and Moose Jaw; the other is north of Saskatoon and southwest of Prince Albert.

Whether the runoff will translate into serious flooding will depend on several factors, including how rapidly the snow melts and whether there is much rain.

Regina is among the communities that have seen near-record snowfall this winter.

Meanwhile, the extreme southeast corner of the province that was hammered by floods in 2011 may get a break this year. The runoff is expected to be near normal, according to the Water Security Agency.

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