Fire department warns public to stay away from fast flowing South Sask. River

Another hot summer weekend in Saskatoon has plenty of attention on the South Saskatchewan River.

First responders are hoping the public takes plenty of precaution and stays away from the fast flowing river. High rainfall and increased flows from Alberta have made many rivers in the province dangerous.

“The South Saskatchewan River is actually flowing at around five times above its average speed,”Saskatoon Fire Assistant Chief Yvonne Raymer said of the river, flowing at about 750 cubic metres per second.

“We would appreciate it if you enjoy the water from a safe distance.”

It’s not just limited to Saskatoon either. The North Saskatchewan River flow peaked at roughly 2,000 cubic metres per second on Friday. The Churchill River system is flowing much higher than normal as well.

Sandy Bay is expected to break a 15-year record with its flows later this month. Water is expected to rise nearly a metre by July 23. That rapid rise in water levels has communities up north on high alert for the possibility of flooding.

Rod Podbielski with the Water Security Agency is advising people to stay away for at least the next two weeks until water levels normalize.

“It’s very easy to get into a dangerous situation with swift moving rivers,” he said during Friday’s Saskatchewan Afternoon with David Kirton.

“That caution is very well advised.”

Saskatoon Fire’s water rescue team was deployed twice last weekend due to high and fast flowing waters.

Raymer said it puts some added pressure on the department.

“I think they’d prefer to train than to rescue you in these currents,” she said of members on the water rescue team. “They are highly skilled and trained, they do practice, but this isn’t the type of circumstance that we want to exercise that skill.”

With plenty of warm weather expected throughout the weekend, Raymer hopes people take advantage of newly reopened businesses to cool off rather than the South Saskatchewan River.

“As the pools are reopening, you may want to consider a pool instead of wading through the rivers — swimming isn’t allowed anyway,” she said.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Keenan Sorokan