The Prairie Lily riverboat in Saskatoon has suspended its cruise operations due to unusually low water levels in the South Saskatchewan River, following a reduction in water flows from Lake Diefenbaker by the provincial Water Security Agency.

The reduction has left the 119-passenger vessel unable to safely navigate, forcing the company to cancel excursions for at least the coming weeks and suspend ticket sales until June 18 or until conditions improve.

New owner Stephanie Simonot said the company was not informed in advance about the change in water releases, which she claims directly impacted operations and customer bookings.She expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the Water Security Agency, noting that earlier notice could have prevented disruptions.

The riverboat, which has been operating for 14 years and remains a popular tourism attraction in Saskatoon, will continue dockside services while it remains unable to sail.

Senior captain Mike Steckhan highlighted safety concerns, stating that rapidly dropping water levels while passengers were onboard created potential risks, including the possibility of becoming stranded mid-river and damage from silt entering the engines.He also criticised the lack of forecasting communication from the agency.

The Water Security Agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but its website indicates that inflows from mountain snowmelt are expected to increase and outflows will be reassessed.

An opposition NDP representative in Saskatoon said the situation reflects broader concerns about communication and the economic impact on tourism operators and local businesses dependent on the river.The agency previously declined requests for a controlled water release, saying it was not the best use of resources.