As the South Saskatchewan River flows east from the mountains to the prairies, it provides drinking water for about 2.2 million people. Chair of the Wild About Saskatoon Board wants everyone to think about that as climate change becomes more noticeable and as water usage ramps up, for drinking, for irrigation, for recreation and for industry.

Candace Savage says along with protecting the water and the land that surrounds it, there is also the question of how it is governed. She poses the question, “As climate change becomes more intense and the demand for irrigation water, which is the major use for water in the river right now, for those withdrawals, do we have institutions that are strong enough to protect the river?” She explains that because the river is shared by other provinces, any decisions around the river have effects downstream.

Wild About Saskatoon is hosting an online event tomorrow night (Thurs) to discuss the health of the river and the competing demands. River specialist, Dr. Tim Jardine and Water Walker Marjorie Beucage are guest speakers at the virtual event, which begins at 7 Thursday night.

Click here to connect to the event.