‘A very fast current’: Officials caution public around South Saskatchewan River

Saskatoon officials are warning the public of increased safety risks on the South Saskatchewan River. (CTV News)

SASKATOON, Sask. - Saskatoon officials are warning the public of increased safety risks on the South Saskatchewan River.

Upstream, Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency (WSA) is opening the spillway at the Gardiner Dam to help control water levels, following heavy rains in Alberta. The release will increase the river flow from approximately 240 to 700 cubic metres a second, beginning June 7.

“It’s going to be 10 times what we had last year,” said Laura Civica, a boathouse supervisor for the Saskatoon Canoe Club.

“That is going to be a very fast current … and for paddlers, that’s going to be a very strenuous paddle upstream.”

A current of that speed increases safety risks for paddlers, especially novices. If winds pick up, paddlers run the risk of facing whitecaps, tipping or struggling to get back to shore.

Civica, who has been paddling for several years, doesn’t think she’ll risk going on the river during the surge.

“If it was a very calm day and I really wanted to work out, because I’m quite experienced, I would consider it,” she said. “But honestly, I’m probably not going out in those conditions.”

Saskatchewan Search and Rescue suggests only paddlers with experience in whitewater should be on the river if the flow rate reaches 700 cubic metres a second. At 800 cubic metres, no one should be on the water.

Officials are reminding the public that swimming in the river within city limits is prohibited year-round.

The Saskatoon Fire Department said it is not allowed to put rescue divers in the water above 450 cubic metres a second because it poses a safety risk to the divers.

Mike Velonas, CEO of the Meewasin Valley Authority, says the public should be cautious if they or their dogs are walking along the river. Besides fast currents and higher water levels, floating debris can also be dangerous.

“Even if you’re not in the water, just walking along a sandbar you might come to the edge and it gives way into the water and then you might get pulled into this fast-flowing stream,” Velonas said.

As a result of the increased flow, the river level is expected to rise 60 centimetres, or two feet, in Saskatoon.

Peak outflows from Gardiner Dam are expected around June 11, according to the Water Security Agency (WSA), and will slowly go down over the next week.

“There could be further increases in outflows if the situation shifts and requires adjustments. No out-of-bank flooding is expected because of the increase,” the WSA said in a release.