Saskatoon’s Prairie Lily is ready to sail this summer but its return to the river is delayed, as was the Water Security Agency’s (WSA) work in southern sections of the province.
The provincial agency is focused on managing and forecasting flood conditions in east central and northeastern parts of the province as springtime overland flooding impacts those communities, according to a social media update shared by the Prairie Lily.
This year’s late thaw and accompanying snowpack have delayed the waters flowing into the South Saskatchewan River from Lake Diefenbaker, it said.
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“(The WSA) continues to manage outflows from Lake Diefenbaker to balance water supplies with downstream flows. Given the widespread flooding already occurring downstream, WSA is not considering a change from this plan at this time. Operating decisions are being made based on overall system conditions to balance reservoir management with downstream impacts,” the WSA said in a statement for Global News.
“In these circumstances, WSA’s primary focus must remain on public safety, flood risk management, and the protection of communities and critical agricultural areas,” the agency added.
“When the WSA is able to concentrate on the South (Saskatchewan River), we’ll see some change to our river. Until then, we all wait,” the Prairie Lily’s Facebook post reads.
While the Prairie Lily is dockside, the post said they may look at offering brunch and drinks, the post added.
The cruise will be sailing again under new ownership this summer when given the go-ahead, after what was thought to be its final year in 2025.
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