Dangerous conditions on the South Saskatchewan River have prompted urgent safety warnings from Saskatoon officials after powerful currents damaged critical safety equipment and required emergency responders to conduct two water rescues over the weekend.
The intense river flows displaced floating safety markers positioned between University Bridge and the weir, leaving portions of the waterway without proper hazard identification. City crews are working diligently to restore the buoys as quickly as conditions allow, according to municipal authorities.
The Saskatoon Fire Department responded to two separate emergencies during the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, crews intercepted an unmanned pontoon boat drifting downstream and successfully guided it to shore. Early Sunday morning, around 1:28 a.m., firefighters located a stranded individual on Yorath Island, approximately 15 kilometers from the city center. The person was found using RCMP drone technology and transported to safety for medical evaluation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in either incident.
Water levels are projected to rise by up to 80 centimeters due to increased discharge from Gardiner Dam, with conditions expected to normalize by late July. Authorities are strongly advising residents and their pets to avoid the river entirely due to fast-moving currents, unstable banks, and hidden underwater hazards.
Officials remind the public that anyone who spots a person in distress in the river should immediately call 911 and note nearby landmarks to help emergency crews respond quickly. Those who accidentally fall into the water should focus on keeping their head above the surface, avoid fighting the current, and remove heavy clothing that could drag them under.
