Lethbridge fire and emergency services and the Lethbridge Police Service responded to a 911 call involving a 42-year-old woman on the Oldman River on Monday.
It was reported a person had entered the water and went under near Popson Park early in the evening.
The woman had been swimming with friends but had become separated from the group, the City of Lethbridge said.
Witnesses say the Lethbridge woman, whose identity is not being released, floated away from the group and appeared to have difficulty with the current. Her friends tried to reach her but lost sight of the woman, the city said Tuesday.
A member of the group climbed the bank of a nearby coulee to get cell reception and phoned for help.
Crews from two stations and a Zodiac rescue boat were dispatched.
“Our water rescue team was also put on alert,” water rescue team leader Brendon Pyne said. “By the time station got there, they were able to locate the victim and recover them from the river.”
Fire paramedics entered the river near Paradise Canyon golf course and brought the victim to shore. They were unable to resuscitate the woman, the city said.
Authorities say swimming in the river poses different dangers than in other water bodies.
“Current is very deceptive, so beware of the current,” Pyne said. “There’s so many foot entanglements in this river. Holes in the ground, rocks, tree stumps and weeds.”
EMS is urging the public to plan ahead if you’re using the river and let someone know where you’re going.
“If you’re going out in a group, identify who the non-swimmers are so that people know they might need an extra hand if something happens,” Pyne said.
“Keep alcohol at home, don’t bring it on the river.”
An autopsy has been ordered by the medical examiner’s office to confirm the official cause of death.