The South Saskatchewan River is on the rise.
Water being released from the Gardiner Dam downstream means the amount of water flowing through Saskatoon has more than doubled to 900 cubic metres per second.
“That’s going to result in the water level in the South Saskatchewan River downsteam of Gardiner Dam rising by approximately 1.5 metres,” said Patrick Boyle of the provincial Water Security Agency
The release of water from the dam is part of the agency's response to significant rainfall flooding in Alberta where some areas saw up to 100 millimetres within a day.
The river through Saskatoon is flowing faster than normal, but officials don't expect any major flooding.
The Meewasin Valley Authority says it's not a major concern but people should be cautious as the water released from the dam is extremely cold and sandbars, shorelines and riverbank trails can be unstable.
"Respect it,” said Doug Porteous of the MVA. ”They'll be people on the river that know it well and have been on it for years. Perhaps some of the rowers and kayakers might be there. But if you're new and you're novice and not used to that kind of thing stay off the river."
Boyle said an additional increase in the amount of water being released from the dam may be coming but it’s all dependent on the amount of rainfall in Alberta.
