The Water Safety Agency is set to release water from Diefenbaker Lake into the South Saskatchewan River, raising Saskatoon’s water level by 0.6 metres.
That’s forcing some groups like the Saskatoon Racing Canoe Club to make some changes with the high, fast-moving water.
“We have schools that come down and kiteboard, so we’ve had to cancel those. And then for our athletes who train twice a day … it’s going to be a challenge. We’re going to have to go somewhere else, maybe to some pond in Stonebridge or maybe out on Pike Lake to continue training,” said Rob Sleeth, coach of the Saskatoon Racing Canoe Club.
The water comes from Alberta, thanks to a record snowpack, with over three meters in some areas – some of the highest crews have ever recorded.
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That snow melted quickly last week, with over 100mm of rain in just a few days. Now, I’m leading the way here.
“We’re reaching levels that were seen in 2013 and 2011. Those two are very different,” said John Pomeroy, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and director of the Global Water Futures Observatory.
He says we haven’t seen water levels this high in more than a decade, and while flooding is unlikely, it could be dangerous.
“The river is going to be flowing much faster than recent experience has given us and so it’s dangerous. The banks are dangerous, the banks can erode, the river water is cold and it’s very, very fast,” Pomeroy said.
“And so, I think important people don’t swim in the river. And if they’re canoeing or kayaking in it, be very, very careful and stay out of the channel as always.”
In the meantime, the Saskatoon Fire Department says people and pets should stay out of the water.
But with the high levels presenting challenges, it also has some benefits.
“It brings the river closer to its natural system. It has to wash and move some of the sand into the system that we see in Saskatoon,” Pomeroy said.
Fewer sand deposits and a silt wash is what the Prairie Lily needs to get back to cruising.
“It keeps the river completely navigable and safe for everyone. So I can’t wait for the river to get back to what it used to be,” said Mike Steckhan, senior captain of Prairie River Cruises.
Watch the video above for more on the impacts of high water levels.
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