Latest news with #LakeDiefenbaker
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
‘No channel anymore': Increased water flows not enough to save Saskatoon's river boat
WATCH: Water levels are expected to rise slightly this week because of heavy rainfall, but the increased flow won't be enough to get the Prairie Lily. With water levels expected to rise this week following the weekend's heavy rainfall, the Water Security Agency (WSA) is warning residents in the province to be cautious around the South Saskatchewan River. But despite receiving enough rain to raise Lake Diefenbaker by one metre, Saskatoon's riverboat doesn't expect to see enough outflow from Gardiner Dam to get back on the water. 'It's been getting worse year, after year, after year; we've always been able to find a channel using our technology and experience, but now it's finally silted up to the point where there is no channel anymore,' Mike Steckhan, captain and owner of The Prairie Lily, told CTV News. On Monday, the province's water regulator said it expects to see flows along the South Saskatchewan River into Lake Diefenbaker increase from 100 cubic meters per second (m3/s) to around 830 m3/s. Those flows are expected to peak on Thursday. Saskatoon will see outflows from Lake Diefenbaker through Gardiner Dam increase a lot less than that, with the WSA set to open the taps from the current rate of 65 cubic meters per second, up to 75. The Steckhans have canceled sailing for the season, saying they'll call anyone who had bookings to arrange an alternate plan or refund. 'We'll be contacting them. We'd ask them, please don't contact us, it's a zoo right now. We have an awful lot of tickets sold,' he said. Saskatoon Prairie Lily Captain Mike Steckhan and his wife Joan aboard the Prairie Lily. (Carla Shynkaruk / CTV News) To try to keep the business afloat, the Steckhans say they won't be leaving the dock, but hope customers support them and come on board for other events they're planning, like cocktail hours in the coming months. When the boat is docked, they call the events along-sides. 'We're hoping that with the along-sides, dinners, brunches and so on. We're hoping that will generate enough revenue that we can keep our staff,' he says. The current WSA flow plan doesn't indicate enough water will be released to wash away the sandbars, the Steckhans say. 'Desilting or something of a cleansing flush for this river system, simply hasn't ever occurred to them. If it did, it's at the bottom of their priority list.' In their final season as owners of the Prairie Lily, before they sail off into the sunset, they're being realistic but admit they aren't ruling out a miracle from mother nature.
CTV News
23-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Saskatchewan River flows to peak on Thursday after heavy weekend rains
The Water Security Agency (WSA) is warning Saskatchewan residents to be cautious around the South Saskatchewan River, as heavy rainfall will bring flows to a peak this week. Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan were hit with significant rainfall over the weekend, with some parts of southern Sask. seeing up to 80 millimetres. To prep for the rain, the WSA says the province of Alberta began releasing water from reservoirs to make room to store the incoming precipitation. That reservoir outflow, coupled with the rainfall pouring into tributaries of the South Saskatchewan River over the weekend, will bring waters to a peak around June 26 this week between Alberta and Lake Diefenbaker — and other water bodies along the way. Flows along the South Saskatchewan River are expected to increase from 100 cubic metres per second to around 830 cubic metres per second, the WSA said in a news release Friday. Water levels in Lake Diefenbaker will rise approximately one metre in the coming days, the provincial water regulator says. 'Lake Diefenbaker has sufficient storage to capture the increases in inflows, but WSA will increase outflows on the South Saskatchewan to better manage the expected increases to lake levels at the reservoir.' Gardiner Dam Some experts say the Gardiner Dam at Lake Diefenbaker will produce less power if the irrigation project moves forward. (Jeremy Simes/CTV Regina) The water flowing from Lake Diefenbaker to Saskatoon is set to increase from the current rate of 65 cubic metres per second, up to 75, although the WSA said those were estimates that could change depending on rainfall intensity, duration and location. Last month, the captain of Saskatoon's iconic riverboat the Prairie Lily called on the WSA to release more water from Lake Diefenbaker to wash away the sandbars that are keeping him from setting sail for a final season on the water. In response, the WSA said it was proceeding conservatively with the water, as the river has faced several years of below-normal runoff at its source in the Rocky Mountains. Seasonal melt from the mountain snowpack along the Alberta and British Columbia border contributes 90 per cent of the water that flows downstream into Saskatoon, according to University of Saskatchewan hydrologists. The WSA cautions residents to take sensible precautions around lakes and rivers. 'Be aware that flows and levels can change rapidly and without warning. Please check local conditions before venturing on or near water bodies.'
CTV News
21-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Parts of Sask. could receive up to 80 millimetres of rain this weekend
Areas of Ontario and Quebec have rainfall warnings on June 19, 2025. (Pexels) A rainy weekend is expected in parts of Saskatchewan, with up to 80 millimetres of rain possible in some areas by Saturday night. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a rainfall warning for a portion of west central Saskatchewan around 3:30 p.m. on Friday. According to the warning, showers will begin late Friday evening and overnight before turning into heavy rain on Saturday morning. The weather agency says the heavy rain will continue during the day but will taper off in the evening. As of Friday afternoon, the warning covered areas including Kindersley, Eston, Rosetown, and surrounding regions. ECCC warns heavy downpours may lead to flash flooding and water pooling on roads, advising residents to stay alert and monitor forecasts here. ECCC As of Friday evening, parts of west central Saskatchewan were under a rainfall warning. (Photo source: Environment and Climate Change Canada) Increased runoff In an advisory Friday afternoon, the Water Security Agency (WSA) said the large amounts of rain is likely to increase runoff into the South Saskatchewan River, as well as other bodies of water between Lake Diefenbaker and the western border. WSA advises people to take precautions around lakes and rivers, making sure to be aware that water levels can change quickly and without warning. WSA asks the public to check local conditions before venturing on or near bodies of water and says it will provide updates as necessary.
CTV News
07-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Saskatoon's iconic river boat cancels final season until water levels improve
Saskatoon's iconic river boat the Prairie Lily is cancelling its final season due to low water levels in the South Saskatchewan River. 'The water flow over the last few years has been so low that sandbars have taken over the river. The Prairie Lily will have to cancel its cruising season if no action is taken,' Captain Mike Steckhan said in a news release Wednesday. 'Over the last few seasons, we watched the problem develop with the growing number and size of sandbars in the river. Since 2021 we have managed to sail in low water flow downstream from Lake Diefenbaker. We've watched the sandbars form in the river as a result of this low flow and no water events to clear out the sand.' Mike and his wife Joan Steckhan, who run the 119-passenger river cruise ship, say the Water Security Agency (WSA) has been retaining water in Lake Diefenbaker since 2021 due to lower rates of precipitation, so the city's stretch of water is no longer seeing the occasional 'flushes' that move sand silt downstream and clear the channel. The couple says local businesses, including the Prairie Lily, brought officials from the WSA out for a cruise last year to show them the conditions before they became an issue. 'No action has been taken,' said Mike. 'We contacted them last week after doing our annual pre-cruising river survey to advise the river was not navigable. We were informed on Friday that they will not release any additional water from the Gardiner Dam.' The Steckhans acknowledge the WSA needs to retain water for power production and irrigation but says water levels in Lake Diefenbaker are above historic average highs, 'and will continue to rise next month from the expected spring run-off from the above-average snowpack from the Rocky Mountains.' Right now, they say the WSA is just holding on to the excess water. 'We're not asking for all the water in the lake. We're only asking the WSA to provide a volume of flow, that allows safe operation on the river,' said Mike. 'If managed effectively, the river could be navigable at low water levels for another three seasons before additional action may be required.' The Prairie Lily was scheduled to begin its final season of cruises on Saturday. Until and unless the WSA releases more water, the couple are cancelling all cruises.
