Differently

Exploring Saskatoon from the South Saskatchewan River is like discovering the city all over again.
Join us on The Prairie Lily for one of our many cruises through the Meewasin Valley and take in the beauty of our living river, our friendly city, and our expansive prairie sky.

Discover Saskatoon…

Exploring Saskatoon from the South Saskatchewan River is like discovering the city all over again.

Join us on The Prairie Lily for one of our many cruises through the Meewasin Valley and take in the beauty of our living river, our friendly city, and our expansive prairie sky.

We want to provide an update regarding The Prairie Lily cruises over the coming weeks.

The Prairie Lily returned to cruising this season with optimism following many discussions with the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) throughout the winter regarding river conditions and anticipated water flows from Lake Diefenbaker. Based on information communicated by the WSA in a May 10 email, flows in the South Saskatchewan River were expected to remain between 220–240 cms for the foreseeable future. Along with other encouraging projections, we proceeded with cruise scheduling and operations in good faith.

However, late on Friday, May 22, the WSA reduced the water release from Gardiner Dam dramatically and immediately to 150 cms. Despite previous assurances, the WSA did not notify us, nor was the information updated on their website. The river levels dropped rapidly and unexpectedly in Saskatoon by Sunday afternoon, May 24, creating unsafe and impassable conditions due to exposed sandbars and low water levels.

Having successfully completed sailings earlier that day, the rapidly deteriorating river conditions forced us to cancel our 4:00 Sunday afternoon cruise. After sending an email to the WSA on Sunday, we received a response late Monday afternoon acknowledging that the timing and magnitude of these reductions had not communicated in advance, and that this lack of notice contributed directly to the uncertainty experienced. We were further advised that the lower outflows are expected to continue through at least early June.

As a result of the reduced water outflows, we regret to inform you that all scheduled Prairie Lily cruises up to and including June 4 have been cancelled. In addition, ticket sales for cruises scheduled between June 5 and June 18 have been temporarily suspended until river conditions improve.

We will personally contact all guests holding tickets for cruises through June 4 regarding options to book a later date, issue a gift certificate, or offer a refund. Guests with bookings between June 5 and June 18 will also be contacted directly should those cruises need to be cancelled.

For this coming weekend, May 29, 30 and 31, we are hosting dockside brunches and dinners. Please call our office at 306-955-5459 extension 2, to let us know you’d like to join us. We will also be hosting afternoon and early evening drinks.

While this is frustrating, we remain hopeful. The WSA has indicated that flows are expected to increase again later next week and that conditions may improve moving forward. Seasonal runoff from the Rocky Mountains is still expected later in June, which historically increases water levels and river flow throughout the South Saskatchewan River system. Once those runoff patterns become more established, it should allow for more stable river conditions and more accurate forecasting and operational planning moving forward.

It is important to also note that since first raising concerns with the WSA about the growing silting issue in June 2024, we have consistently advocated for a clear and proactive silt mitigation plan. Over the past two years, alongside others in the community, we have continued engaging with the WSA in planning discussions and advocating for clearer forecasting, timely communication, and greater operational transparency so the safest and most informed decisions can be made. To date, we are not aware of any formal silt mitigation plan being implemented.

The support this community has shown The Prairie Lily means more to us than words can fully express. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to welcoming guests back onboard as soon as conditions safely allow. In the meantime, we’re continuing to prepare for the season ahead, and if you see us on sailing around University Bridge, it’s because we’re training new crew members so we’re ready to welcome you back when conditions improve.

We will continue providing updates as new information becomes available.

We want to provide an update regarding The Prairie Lily cruises over the coming weeks.

The Prairie Lily returned to cruising this season with optimism following many discussions with the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) throughout the winter regarding river conditions and anticipated water flows from Lake Diefenbaker. Based on information communicated by the WSA in a May 10 email, flows in the South Saskatchewan River were expected to remain between 220–240 cms for the foreseeable future. Along with other encouraging projections, we proceeded with cruise scheduling and operations in good faith.

However, late on Friday, May 22, the WSA reduced the water release from Gardiner Dam dramatically and immediately to 150 cms. Despite previous assurances, the WSA did not notify us, nor was the information updated on their website. The river levels dropped rapidly and unexpectedly in Saskatoon by Sunday afternoon, May 24, creating unsafe and impassable conditions due to exposed sandbars and low water levels.

Having successfully completed sailings earlier that day, the rapidly deteriorating river conditions forced us to cancel our 4:00 Sunday afternoon cruise. After sending an email to the WSA on Sunday, we received a response late Monday afternoon acknowledging that the timing and magnitude of these reductions had not communicated in advance, and that this lack of notice contributed directly to the uncertainty experienced. We were further advised that the lower outflows are expected to continue through at least early June.

As a result of the reduced water outflows, we regret to inform you that all scheduled Prairie Lily cruises up to and including June 4 have been cancelled. In addition, ticket sales for cruises scheduled between June 5 and June 18 have been temporarily suspended until river conditions improve.

We will personally contact all guests holding tickets for cruises through June 4 regarding options to book a later date, issue a gift certificate, or offer a refund. Guests with bookings between June 5 and June 18 will also be contacted directly should those cruises need to be cancelled.

For this coming weekend, May 29, 30 and 31, we are hosting dockside brunches and dinners. Please call our office at 306-955-5459 extension 2, to let us know you’d like to join us. We will also be hosting afternoon and early evening drinks.

While this is frustrating, we remain hopeful. The WSA has indicated that flows are expected to increase again later next week and that conditions may improve moving forward. Seasonal runoff from the Rocky Mountains is still expected later in June, which historically increases water levels and river flow throughout the South Saskatchewan River system. Once those runoff patterns become more established, it should allow for more stable river conditions and more accurate forecasting and operational planning moving forward.

It is important to also note that since first raising concerns with the WSA about the growing silting issue in June 2024, we have consistently advocated for a clear and proactive silt mitigation plan. Over the past two years, alongside others in the community, we have continued engaging with the WSA in planning discussions and advocating for clearer forecasting, timely communication, and greater operational transparency so the safest and most informed decisions can be made. To date, we are not aware of any formal silt mitigation plan being implemented.

The support this community has shown The Prairie Lily means more to us than words can fully express. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to welcoming guests back onboard as soon as conditions safely allow. In the meantime, we’re continuing to prepare for the season ahead, and if you see us on sailing around University Bridge, it’s because we’re training new crew members so we’re ready to welcome you back when conditions improve.

We will continue providing updates as new information becomes available.