High North Saskatchewan River levels increases risk: rescuers
Posted July 22, 2026 6:00 pm.
Last Updated July 22, 2026 6:49 pm.
Drowning can easily be avoided when swimming in a pool or even a river, but according to the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, there are still water fatalities because of the lack of knowledge in water safety.
“Especially adults were not wearing life jackets,” said Madison Lalonde, the interim managing director of the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories.
In a recent drowning report by the non-profit, their latest data shows 44 people died in water-related deaths in the province in 2024, the highest was back in 2021. And child drownings continues to be a problem.
“When it comes to children, 100 per cent of drowning deaths in children under 5-years-old in Alberta are due to distracted supervision or lack of supervision,” said Lalonde.
But the people we spoke to at the North Saskatchewan River shore say they are prepared if a water incident happens.
“Well, we’re very prepared. I actually have my boating license, so I’ve kind of Googled what we needed, and we make sure that we have life jackets for sure,” said Jessica Marusiak, who was rafting on the North Saskatchewan River.
Edmonton’s heavy rainfall this summer is causing the river level to rise, which increases the risk for people boating or paddle boarding without safety precautions.
“Way riskier than a swimming pool. It’s moving water. It’s out in nature. You don’t have a lifeguard there to help you if you go under,” said Marusiak.
And higher risk even for people who do rescue operations.
“Anytime we see someone in distress on the river, increase water levels do increase the risk for us that the danger for us as rescuers, but we train under these conditions to allow us to facilitate these rescues,” said Travis Young, an Edmonton Peace Officer Park Ranger with the Marine Unit.
Officer Young says Edmontonians riding on a vessel like a boat should wear a lifejacket and have a marine safety kit carrying survival equipment such as a whistle and a flashlight.
“You can find these at your local sporting goods store for less than $15, right? Failure to have one of these while navigating on the river and the safety equipment inside minimum fines start at $250,” said Young.
Back on the North Saskatchewan River, Marusiak says they are taking precautions even before hitting the river.
“Well, we’ve had so much rain the river’s going to be high. I love the rain. I love the moisture. I love how green it makes us, but it just makes us need to be more aware of what’s safe and what’s not,” said Marusiak.
