This email was sent to all club members on July 15, 2020
The river flow rate in Saskatoon remains around 730 m³/s (more than 7 times what it was for most of last summer) and is forecast to be 710 m³/s until at least July 19th. Lake Diefenbaker’s water level is at the upper end of the target range, so any further above-average rainfall in southern AB and SK is likely to result in continued high flows through Saskatoon.
In this email:
- Dock status
- Recreation Division equipment use update
- Marathon Division equipment use reminder
- Recreation group paddles postponed
- Upcoming club trips
Dock Status
The boathouse dock has been moved closer to shore and secured in place so that you may now resume using it. For your safety, please stay away from the upstream end of the dock and do not launch, land, or paddle in the area between the upstream sections of the dock and the shore.
Recreation Division Equipment Use
We will allow Recreation Division equipment use to resume as of 4:30 p.m. July 15th. However, at the present flow rate only paddlers experienced and skilled in whitewater paddling/rescues should even consider using the river. Put simply, if you have to ask if you are skilled enough, you aren’t.
While we would prefer that members be honest with themselves and heed the club’s advice on skill level vs. flow rate, the executive has authorized the boathouse staff to temporarily deny equipment access in cases where the staff believe a given member does not have sufficient skill to paddle safely. If you are going to paddle, it is a good idea to go in a group with more than one boat.
Marathon Division Equipment Use
Marathon members are reminded that they must each be trained in the equipment disinfection procedures by SCC staff in order to use SCC equipment outside of the boathouse staff’s posted hours.
Recreation Group Paddles
Recreation Division group paddles are suspended until the river flow rate declines significantly. Group paddle times will be posted on the club’s calendar when they resume.
Upcoming Club Trips
Churchill River Whitewater Festival - July 30/31 to Aug. 3/4
The festival will be smaller this year in order to comply with provincial COVID-19 guidelines. While the Whitewater Festival is usually a great place for beginners to try whitewater for the first time, this year the organizers have geared the activities towards more experienced paddlers. Details on the club trip to the festival are here and the sign-up form is here.
Other Trips
Anyone interested in organizing a club trip should contact the applicable division director.