INCREASED RIVER FLOW PROMPTS CLOSURE OF PUBLIC BOAT LAUNCH
As the City continues to monitor the increasing flow of the South Saskatchewan River, because of safety concerns the Fire Department recommends the closure today of the public boat launch until further notice.
The Water Security Agency (WSA) increased outflows from 800 cubic metres per second (m3/s) to 1000 m3/s. This has caused the already heightened water level on the South Saskatchewan River downstream of Gardiner Dam to rise between 25cm to 40 cm. It’s anticipated that the higher river flows will remain in place for the remainder of May and into June.
“As a result of these conditions, the Fire Department strongly discourages activity on or near the river while the flow rate remains strong,” Assistant Fire Chief Morgan Hackl says. “When the river is like this, it creates significant safety hazards for people and pets on the river – or along its banks – and for firefighters who may have to get in the river for a rescue. We know the weekend is expected to be hot, however we’re asking folks to please use common sense, respect nature and stay back from the fast flowing water of the South Saskatchewan.”
This increase in outflow is a proactive release in response to the above normal snowpack in the mountains, above average lake level for this time of year and recent rainfall events in Alberta. No out-of-bank flooding is expected to occur as a result of this operation.
With this planned release and forecasted inflow over the next two weeks, WSA expects to lower the Lake Diefenbaker reservoir to provide additional flood storage in the event of above normal rainfall in late May and June.
The 10-day forecast for stream flows and any other relevant updates will be posted to the WSA’s website at wsask.ca.
In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
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