A study led by David Sauchyn, a researcher at the University of Regina, found that the Athabasca River, pivotal for Alberta’s tar sands/ oil sands, is more unpredictable than original measurements stated in 1950. Sauchyn found records of droughts in the Athabasca River lasting years to decades from 1790-1806 and 1888-1896 with the longest recorded drought lasting 50 years.”That is something we just haven’t experienced; when we do it’s going to be difficult,” said Sauchyn.