It's a low water year on Saskatchewan River system

Sun-worshippers will have more room to stretch out on beaches and sandbars along the Saskatchewan River system.

Water levels are the lowest they've been in years.

But the province's Water Security Agency said there is no cause for concern. There is still enough water to meet all water supply needs.

"We're having a drier year, it's just part of our normal pattern, wet years and dry years," said Dale Hjertaas, the Water Security Agency's executive director of policy and communications.

Environmental concerns

However, a board member of the Saskatchewan Environmental Society said farmers who irrigate land north of the Gardiner Dam will notice a difference.

"As the water level drops it becomes more difficult with their pumping system," said Murray Hidlebaugh. "It becomes very expensive because they either have to move their irrigation system further out into the river, or build some sort of a reservoir, but there's so much sand that it makes it really difficult."

Hidlebaugh is also concerned for fish in the river. 

"The river warms and so the fish and that that depend on cooler water, they can't survive they get so stressed," he said.

However, there is not much of a sport fishery on the South Saskatchewan north of the Gardiner Dam, he added.

There could also be algae blooms, making the river unpleasant to be around. And, sandbars could make canoeing more difficult, Hidlebaugh said.

Low runoff from mountains

The low levels are the result of a lower than normal snowpack in the Rocky Mountains this year. Low rainfall amounts are also producing lower than normal runoff from the mountains, Hjertaas explained.

The level of Lake Diefenbaker is the lowest it's been since 2009, he said. Outflows from the lake are down to 60 cubic metres per second, the lowest since 2004. It means less hydroelectric power is being generated at Gardiner Dam this year.

At Prince Albert, the North Saskatchewan River is flowing at 180 cubic metres per second, the lowest since 2007. The median flow is about 250 cubic metres per second.

Climate change concerns

Russ McPherson, general manager of Lake Diefenbaker Tourism, said the low water is not causing significant problems for boaters and cottagers.

But he does see it as a warning signal on climate change.

"We need to be doing some long-term planning. And we need to be acknowledging that I think climate change is upon us. And we need to be recognizing that. And looking at how we adapt and how we mitigate it," McPherson said.

Weir keeps tour boat afloat

Meanwhile the low level on the North Saskatchewan River has forced the Edmonton Queen tour boat to dock for the season. Its website reads: "Due to low water levels we can no longer sail the ship. We have cancelled all sailings for the season." However, it's still open as a floating restaurant. 

However, Saskatoon's Prairie Lily is still operating on the South Saskatchewan River. Captain Mike Steckhan said the weir creates "a bit of a lake" upstream.

This year with the low water level, the cruise boat can't go quite as far.

"So we go up to just past the water treatment plant, which is a nice tour," Steckhan said. "And we don't go quite as far as the South Bridge which we would in higher water."

Thanks to the beautiful summer weather, he says it has been a busy season for the Prairie Lily.