‘No channel anymore’: Increased water flows not enough to save Saskatoon’s river boat

WATCH: Water levels are expected to rise slightly this week because of heavy rainfall, but the increased flow won't be enough to get the Prairie Lily.

With water levels expected to rise this week following the weekend’s heavy rainfall, the Water Security Agency (WSA) is warning residents in the province to be cautious around the South Saskatchewan River.

But despite receiving enough rain to raise Lake Diefenbaker by one metre, Saskatoon’s riverboat doesn’t expect to see enough outflow from Gardiner Dam to get back on the water.

“It’s been getting worse year, after year, after year; we’ve always been able to find a channel using our technology and experience, but now it’s finally silted up to the point where there is no channel anymore,” Mike Steckhan, captain and owner of The Prairie Lily, told CTV News.

On Monday, the province’s water regulator said it expects to see flows along the South Saskatchewan River into Lake Diefenbaker increase from 100 cubic meters per second (m3/s) to around 830 m3/s. Those flows are expected to peak on Thursday.

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Saskatoon will see outflows from Lake Diefenbaker through Gardiner Dam increase a lot less than that, with the WSA set to open the taps from the current rate of 65 cubic meters per second, up to 75.

The Steckhans have canceled sailing for the season, saying they’ll call anyone who had bookings to arrange an alternate plan or refund.

“We’ll be contacting them. We’d ask them, please don’t contact us, it’s a zoo right now. We have an awful lot of tickets sold,” he said.

To try to keep the business afloat, the Steckhans say they won’t be leaving the dock, but hope customers support them and come on board for other events they’re planning, like cocktail hours in the coming months.

When the boat is docked, they call the events along-sides.

“We’re hoping that with the along-sides, dinners, brunches and so on. We’re hoping that will generate enough revenue that we can keep our staff,” he says.

The current WSA flow plan doesn’t indicate enough water will be released to wash away the sandbars, the Steckhans say.

“Desilting or something of a cleansing flush for this river system, simply hasn’t ever occurred to them. If it did, it’s at the bottom of their priority list.”

In their final season as owners of the Prairie Lily, before they sail off into the sunset, they’re being realistic but admit they aren’t ruling out a miracle from mother nature.

Still, one Saskatoon woman wasn’t deterred by the bad news. Early Wednesday morning, she was arrested while trying to commandeer the ship.