Redcliff Warns River Still Dangerous After Advisory Ends

The Alberta River Forecast Centre lifted its High Streamflow Advisory for the South Saskatchewan River on Friday morning, June 12, after water levels dropped back toward seasonal norms following a period of elevated flow.

According to the Town of Redcliff, which posted the notice on its website, the advisory's end does not mean the river is back to its usual summer character. Officials say the waterway remains higher and faster than many residents will recognize from a typical June, with cold water temperatures, strong currents, and unstable or eroded banks still posing real hazards along the riverfront.

For Redcliff and Medicine Hat residents, the South Saskatchewan is a popular corridor for fishing, trail walking, and summer recreation. Riverfront parks and pathways along both communities see heavy use once warm weather arrives, making the post-advisory caution particularly relevant as families and pets head outdoors.

The Town issued a clear set of safety reminders alongside the advisory update. Residents are asked to keep children and pets back from water edges and steep banks, avoid wading or entering the river, and use extra care when fishing or using riverfront trails. Pets should remain leashed near the water.

The advisory was part of a broader pattern across southern Alberta this spring, with the Alberta River Forecast Centre monitoring a number of waterways for above-normal flows driven by snowmelt and seasonal precipitation across the Palliser Triangle watershed.

Officials said conditions can shift quickly as summer progresses and encouraged residents to stay alert to changing river levels throughout the season rather than treating the lifted advisory as an all-clear for unrestricted water access.

River safety agencies consistently note that fast, cold water is particularly unforgiving — even strong swimmers can be caught off guard by currents that look calmer on the surface than they are beneath it. Water temperatures in the South Saskatchewan during June remain well below what most people recognize as uncomfortable, with cold shock a real concern for anyone who unexpectedly enters the water.

The Town of Redcliff thanked residents for their cooperation during the advisory period and encouraged everyone to enjoy the river responsibly as the season unfolds.

Current Alberta River Forecast Centre updates are available through Alberta Environment and Protected Areas.