Prairie Lily riverboat cancels cruises over water drop

Saskatoon’s landmark riverboat, the Prairie Lily, has been forced to cancel cruises and suspend ticket sales after a sudden reduction in river water levels over the weekend. The boat’s new owner says the provincial Water Security Agency did not provide advance notice of the change, leaving the popular tourist attraction stranded for the second consecutive year.

The agency reduced flows from Lake Diefenbaker into the South Saskatchewan River, which runs through Saskatoon. Stephanie Simonot of the Prairie Lily said Thursday that the company was under the impression stable flows were assured for the season and was not notified of the reduction. The rapid drop in water levels has prevented the 119-passenger vessel from operating, forcing the cancellation of excursions into next week. Ticket sales have been suspended until June 18, pending sufficient water returning to the river.

Mike Steckhan, the boat’s former owner who continues to serve as senior captain, said the reduction came at a particularly bad time, with customers aboard when he noticed the levels dropping. He expressed concern that had the water sunk further, the boat could have been stuck mid-river, and silt could have...