News Releases

Residents are strongly warned against all recreational activities on the river, including boating, paddling, swimming, floating, fishing from the shoreline and other water-based activities. The public is also advised to avoid approaching the river’s edge, as fast-moving water, unstable banks and submerged hazards can create dangerous situations. Pets should also be kept at a safe distance from the River.

The public boat launch beneath the Broadway Bridge and River Access points in the Meewasin Valley will be closed. River safety devices will be monitored regularly during high-flow conditions.

If you witness someone in distress in the river:

• Call 911 immediately to report the incident, noting details about the individual, time and situation.
• Keep track of recognizable landmarks around the area where the individual was first seen in distress in the water.
• Coach the individual from the shore edge on the below noted tips for water self-rescue.

If you are in distress in the river:

• Stay calm.
• Keep your head above the water.
• Remove any heavy or bulky clothing items.
• Don’t fight the current; move with the current as you work your way to the shore edge.

Always be cautious near the river. In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Additional Information

Over the past week, the South Saskatchewan River Basin headwaters received significant precipitation, with observed rainfall amounts generally higher than previously forecast.

This means more water is on the way into Lake Diefenbaker and downstream through Saskatoon.

The Water Security Agency advises river flows are expected to increase from the already elevated present rate of approximately 270 cubic metres per second (m³/s) increasing to approximately 770 m³/s by Monday July 6.

This flow rate is higher than what was experienced last month and are expected well into next week.

The South Saskatchewan River is very unpredictable. Aside from the changing, dangerously fast currents and unstable bottom, the river will have many additional hazards right now such as fallen branches, hidden material like broken concrete and floating debris that will pose a threat to anyone in or near the water.

Saskatoon Water 
Saskatoon Water is prepared for the greater flows. While expecting more sediment and cloudiness in the river, processes are in place to handle extra clarification that may be needed. Water service is not expected to be impacted by the rising river levels.

Bridges 
The rising and faster flowing water is not expected to pose any threat to bridges nor cause any significant challenges for construction projects. The City’s Asset Preservation team continues to talk with contractors working on both the Broadway Bridge and the University Bridge to ensure their staff remain safe.

Swimming is prohibited in the South Saskatchewan River
As mentioned, Bylaw No. 4433 prohibits swimming in the South Saskatchewan River within city limits.

View weir from a safe distance 
The South Saskatchewan River is equipped with a weir to alter the flow and discharge of water along the river. This barrier produces a powerful backwash of water that can trap objects and people. The weir must never be approached and should only be viewed from designated areas along Spadina Crescent East.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

IDYLWYLD DR N SB LEFT TURN & MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM WAKOOMA ST TO MARQUIS DR W
(Overnight pavement line painting)
Start: July 3, 7:00 p.m. End: July 4, 1:00 a.m.

MARQUIS DR W EB LEFT TURN LANE CLOSED AT IDYLWYLD DR N INTERSECTION
(Overnight pavement line painting)
Start: July 3, 7:00 p.m. End: July 4, 1:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB LEFT TURN LANES, & MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM 60TH ST E TO MARQUIS DR E
(Overnight pavement line painting)
Start: July 3, 7:00 p.m. End: July 4, 1:00 a.m.

MARQUIS DR E WB LEFT TURN & MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM SIEMENS AVE TO IDYLWYLD DR N
(Overnight pavement line painting)
Start: July 3, 7:00 p.m. End: July 4, 1:00 a.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB & CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM HIGHWAY 16 TO 51ST ST E
(Overnight construction)
Start: July 2, 7:00 p.m. End: July 3, 6:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO RUTH ST E
(Overnight bridge washing)
Start: July 2, 8:00 p.m. End: July 3, 6:00 a.m.

CLAYPOOL DR EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CHIEF LOUIS TAYPOTAT AVE TO AIRPORT DR
(Road resurfacing)
Start: July 2, 6:30 a.m. End: July 3, 12:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE S NB FROM LOUISE AVE TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Link Station Construction)
Two-way traffic to be maintained in the SB lanes
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: July 3, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB PARKING & CURB LANE CLOSURE. FROM AVE B S TO AVE B S
(Streetscaping)
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: July 5, 5:00 p.m.

MCKERCHER DR NB PARKING & CURB LANES CLOSED. FROM HOLLAND RD TO 8TH ST E
(Road work)
Start: July 1, 7:00 a.m. End: July 7, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE S TO IDYLWYLD DR S
(Manhole maintenance)
Start: March 9, 9:00 a.m. End: July 10, 4:00 p.m.

25TH ST E WB CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE N TO 1ST AVE N
(SL&P work)
Two-way traffic in EB lanes
Start: June 15, 9:00 a.m. End: July 10, 5:00 p.m.

24TH ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO 2ND AVE N
(Building construction)
Start: June 16, 8:00 a.m. End: July 10, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AVE M S TO AVE O S
(Traffic calming)
Start: June 26, 7:00 a.m. End: July 10, 6:00 p.m.

12TH ST E EB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM BROADWAY AVE TO DUFFERIN AVE
(Sewer work)
Start: May 29, 7:00 a.m. End: July 12, 5:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB/WB UNIVERSITY BRIDGE
(College Dr Link Construction)
Closure of College Dr includes a full closure of the University Bridge at Spadina Cr E
Start: April 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 13, 5:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AVE C S TO IDYLWYLD DR S
(Water main upgrades and streetscaping)
Start: June 29, 7:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

WANUSKEWIN RD NB & SB CLOSED FROM ARTHUR ROSE AVE TO MARQUIS DR E
(Construction)
Start: April 27, 7:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM AVE S S TO AVE T S
(Concrete & landscaping work)
Start: June 25, 7:00 a.m. End: July 22, 5:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N NB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Building construction)
Start: June 15, 8:00 a.m. End: July 31, 5:00 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E NB REDUCED LANE WIDTH AT 25TH ST E
(Construction)
Start: April 28, 7:00 a.m. End: August 8, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB & SB CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Water main work)
Start: June 29, 7:00 a.m. End: August 23, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

LOWE RD ROAD CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO NELSON RD
(Road paving)
Start: July 1, 7:00 a.m. End: July 1, 5:00 p.m.

MCKERCHER DR NB PARKING & CURB LANES CLOSED FROM HOLLAND RD TO 8TH ST E
(Concrete work)
Start: July 1, 7:00 a.m. End: July 7, 5:00 p.m.

CLAYPOOL DR EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CHIEF LOUIS TAYPOTAT AVE TO AIRPORT DR
(Road resurfacing)
Start: July 2, 6:30 a.m. End: July 3, 12:00 p.m.

AVE H N NB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Paved lane rehabilitation)
Start: July 2, 7:00 a.m. End: July 2, 5:00 p.m.

33RD ST E EB ROAD CLOSED FROM ALBERTA AVE TO ONTARIO AVE
(Sewer maintenance)
Two-way in WB lanes.
Start: July 2, 9:00 a.m. End: July 2, 12:00 p.m.

STEEVES AVE NB DRIVING LANES CLOSED AT WHELAN CRES
(Manhole repair)
NB traffic squeezed into parking lane
Start: July 2, 9:00 a.m. End: July 2, 1:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB MEDIAN & CENTRE LANES CLOSED AT 22ND ST E
(Manhole repair)
Start: July 2, 9:00 a.m. End: July 2, 1:00 p.m.

WARMAN RD SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO HAZEN ST
(Manhole repair)
Start: July 2, 11:00 a.m. End: July 2, 2:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB & CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM HIGHWAY 16 TO 51ST ST E
(Overnight construction)
Start: July 2, 7:00 p.m. End: July 3, 6:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO RUTH ST E
(Overnight bridge washing)
Start: July 2, 8:00 p.m. End: July 3, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

CIRCLE DR E EB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM SPADINA CRES E TO PRESTON AVE N
(Overnight bridge washing)
Start: June 30, 8:00 p.m. End: July 1, 6:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM PRESTON AVE N TO SPADINA CRES E
(Overnight bridge washing)
Start: June 30, 8:00 p.m. End: July 1, 6:00 a.m.

CLAYPOOL DR EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM MARKHAM AVE TO MARKHAM AVE
(Paving work)
Start: June 29, 6:30 a.m. End: July 1, 12:00 p.m.

AVE C N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM HASKAMP ST TO CYNTHIA ST
(Lane rehabilitation)
Start: June 30, 9:00 a.m. End: July 1, 3:00 p.m.

AVE H N SB PARKING LANE CLOSED. FROM 23RD ST W TO 22ND ST W
(Road work)
Start: June 29, 8:00 a.m. End: July 1, 5:00 p.m.

3RD AVE S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 19TH ST E TO 22ND ST E
(Median restoration)
Start: June 15, 7:00 a.m. End: July 1, 5:00 p.m.

TRAFFIC BRIDGE ALL DIRECTIONS SPADINA CR E
(Canada Day (Special Event))
Start: June 30, 5:00 a.m. End: July 2, 8:00 a.m.

PRESTON AVE S NB FROM LOUISE AVE TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Link Station Construction)
Two-way traffic to be maintained in the SB lanes
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: July 3, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB PARKING & CURB LANE CLOSURE. FROM AVE B S TO AVE B S
(Streetscaping)
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: July 5, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE S TO IDYLWYLD DR S
(Vault roof work)
Start: March 9, 9:00 a.m. End: July 10, 4:00 p.m.

25TH ST E WB CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE N TO 1ST AVE N
(SL&P work)
Two-way traffic in EB lanes
Start: June 15, 9:00 a.m. End: July 10, 5:00 p.m.

24TH ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO 2ND AVE N
(Building construction)
Start: June 16, 8:00 a.m. End: July 10, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AVE M S TO AVE O S
(Channelization)
Start: June 26, 7:00 a.m. End: July 10, 6:00 p.m.

12TH ST E EB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM BROADWAY AVE TO DUFFERIN AVE
(Sewer work)
Start: May 29, 7:00 a.m. End: July 12, 5:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB/WB UNIVERSITY BRIDGE
(College Dr Link Construction)
Closure of College Dr includes a full closure of the University Bridge at Spadina Cr E
Start: April 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 13, 5:00 p.m.

WANUSKEWIN RD NB & SB CLOSED FROM ARTHUR ROSE AVE TO MARQUIS DR E
(Construction)
Start: April 27, 7:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AVE C S TO IDYLWYLD DR S
(Riversdale water main upgrades and streetscaping)
Start: June 29, 7:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM AVE S S TO AVE T S
(Concrete & landscaping work)
Start: June 25, 7:00 a.m. End: July 22, 5:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N NB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Building construction)
Start: June 15, 8:00 a.m. End: July 31, 5:00 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E NB REDUCED LANE WIDTH AT 25TH ST E
(Construction)
Start: April 28, 7:00 a.m. End: August 8, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB & SB CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Water main work)
Start: June 29, 7:00 a.m. End: August 23, 5:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N SB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 42ND A ST E TO CIRCLE DR E
(Building construction)
Start: May 1, 8:00 a.m. End: October 1, 5:00 p.m.

2ND AVE N SB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Building construction)
Start: September 11, 7:00 a.m. End: January 24, 4:30 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.