The Saskatoon Fire Department wants people to stay off the South Saskatchewan River because a release from Gardiner Dam has increased flow rates and river water levels to a point it is unsafe. The warning comes after another water rescue on the weekend in Saskatoon.

The 911 call came in at 6:32 p.m. Sunday of multiple people in distress, in the river, near the Gordie Howe Bridge and Queen Elizabeth Power Station.

Water rescue units deployed from an emergency boat launch while crews on the ground confirmed there were four females on two inflatable crafts trapped against a concrete structure in the river with one person in the river.

A firefighter rescued the one and then had to go back for a second person after one of the inflatable crafts developed an issue. The other two were removed directly to a rescue boat and none of the four were wearing life jackets. None were harmed beyond fatigue and panic and the Saskatoon Fire Department says the averted possible tragedy was due to high water levels and increased flow rates as well as lack of preparation and inexperience by those involved.

The Saskatoon Fire Department rescued a person who had been swept into the South Saskatchewan River on Saturday around noon and was being carried along by the fast moving current towards the weir. Another person on a sea-doo was trying to keep the individual in the water from being carried further downstream with the current.

The water rescue team successfully got the person out of the water and into to Medavie’s care. The river is flowing at a rate four to six times its average speed due to water being released at the Diefenbaker Dam.