Prairie Lily riverboat resumes operations as South Sask. River rises

The rising water levels on the South Saskatchewan River have allowed Saskatoon’s Prairie Lily riverboat to resume its operations.

The river is on the rise after the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency made the decision to open the spillway at the Gardiner Dam on Lake Diefenbaker over the weekend, freeing up room in the reservoir for a large influx of water coming in from Alberta following recent rains and a higher-than-normal runoff.

Read more:

• Increased flows prompt calls for caution near South Sask. River in coming days
• Prairie Lily riverboat to set sail in Saskatoon on Friday
• Prairie Lily set to return to South Saskatchewan River this season under new ownership

In a social media post, the riverboat’s management team said the 120-passenger vessel will be back out on the water on Tuesday after low water levels in the river prompted a pause in operations.

“With river levels rising, the conditions needed for safe operations are returning, and The Prairie Lily will resume cruising on Tuesday, June 9,” the post read.

“We can’t wait to once again share sightseeing cruises, brunches, dinners, celebrations, and unforgettable moments on the water with all of you not just for this summer, but for many summers ahead.”

According to the Water Security Agency, the release from Lake Diefenbaker was expected to raise water levels in Saskatoon by roughly 0.6 metres, while increasing the river’s flow from around 280 cubic metres per second up to around 700.

But while the rising water has allowed the riverboat to get back to business, both the agency and the Saskatoon Fire Department have urged residents to be very cautious around the fast-moving river.

The riverboat is under new ownership this season after the original owners, Mike and Joan Steckhan, decided to cease operations. Last summer marked a difficult season, which saw the boat prevented from leaving the dock due to high sandbars and low water levels.

The business is now under the ownership of Stephanie Simonot, who previously said she plans to run the riverboat’s operations along with her family. Simonot won’t be doing her first season alone, however, as the Steckhans are staying on as mentors this summer.

History of the Prairie Lily

The Prairie Lily was built in 1989 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, for navigating shallow channels like the South Saskatchewan River.

In 2012, the ship was purchased by Prairie River Cruises when the Steckhans partnered with Mike and Valerie Kingsmill to begin operating the riverboat.

Terri Nielsen, a representative for Discover Saskatoon, said the riverboat is an “iconic” experience that brings in a lot of business.

“It’s how many visitors, and even longtime residents, see our city from a completely new perspective,” Nielsen said in a statement.

“Seeing it continue under local ownership is important for both our city and visitor economy. It ensures this iconic experience remains part of how people connect with Saskatoon, celebrating milestones, sharing time together, and experiencing the river in a way that’s truly unique to our city.”