The Saskatoon Fire Department is requesting people taking to the South Saskatchewan River in recent hot temperatures to keep safety in mind.
Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency is projecting water levels will drop by an average of one metre in the coming weeks.
“The South Saskatchewan River is unpredictable and dangerous,” assistant fire chief Wayne Rodger said in a press release.
“With changing currents and water levels, both the bank edges and riverbed are considered extremely hazardous. Obstacles such as fallen branches, broken concrete, and discarded debris can pose a threat to anyone or anything in or near the water.”
Fire department officials are asking boaters wear an approved personal floatation device, check the vessel is in good condition, monitor the weather and leave a travel plan.
WATCH: River Safety Day aims to educate ahead of busy boating season
People looking forward to enjoying the riverbank view are reminded that by law, swimming in the river is prohibited within city limits.
Another river safety reminder to never approach the weir. It produces a powerful backwash of water that is capable of trapping people.
In the event a witness sees a person in the river, the fire department asks them to follow these tips for helping others in distress:
- Call 911 immediately;
- Keep track of recognizable landmarks near the individual in the water; and
- Coach the individual from the shore’s edge on the below noted tips for water self-rescue.
A person who finds themselves in distress in the river should do the following:
- Stay calm and don’t fight the current;
- Keep your head above water;
- Remove any heavy or bulky clothing items; and
- Move with the current while working one’s way to the shore’s edge.
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