SASKATCHEWAN: Authorities have issued an urgent safety advisory for residents and recreational users of the South Saskatchewan River as heavy rainfall in Alberta triggers a significant rise in water levels.
To manage the incoming surge, the Water Security Agency (WSA) has announced plans to open the spillway gates at the Gardiner Dam. This controlled release will abruptly accelerate the river’s flow rate from 240 cubic metres per second ($m^3/s$) to an aggressive 700 $m^3/s$, effective June 7. Officials from the Saskatoon Canoe Club noted that this rapid escalation represents a flow rate nearly ten times stronger than what was recorded during the same period last year.
The sudden increase in current poses an immediate safety hazard for watercraft users, particularly novice paddlers. Experts warn that high flows combined with strong winds could easily capsize small boats or prevent rowers from safely returning to the shoreline. The Saskatchewan Search and Rescue division strongly advised that only highly experienced white-water paddlers should attempt to navigate the river under the 700 $m^3/s$ conditions, adding a strict warning that all activity must cease if the flow hits 800 $m^3/s$. City authorities also reminded the public that swimming within Saskatoon city limits remains strictly prohibited year-round.
The heightened flow rates will also severely restrict emergency response capabilities. The Saskatoon Fire Department confirmed that its rescue divers are prohibited from entering the water for safety reasons once the river’s flow exceeds 450 $m^3/s$.
Given these constraints, Mike Velonas, CEO of the Meewasin Valley Authority, urged trail walkers and pet owners to exercise extreme caution. In addition to the powerful currents, the rising water is expected to carry large amounts of heavy debris. Furthermore, bank stability is a major concern, as sandbars and riverbanks are highly susceptible to sudden collapses under the pressure of the fast-moving water, making bankside walks extremely dangerous.
The increased discharge from the dam is expected to raise the river level through Saskatoon by approximately 60 centimetres (two feet). According to the Water Security Agency, the outflow from Gardiner Dam will peak around June 11 before gradually tapering off next week. While officials maintain that current projections do not indicate a threat of flooding to residential areas, they noted that flow adjustments may be modified if weather patterns shift.
