SASKATOON — The weeks are quickly falling off the calendar in August and another summer will soon come to a close, and with that, the popular Prairie Lily site-seeing ship in Saskatoon will be docked for another year.
With the end of the season drawing near, much discussion has been had on the row between Prairie Lily staff and the provincial government over the boat being held captive at the dock by low water levels on the South Saskatchewan River, preventing the ship from taking tourists around the city on tours that are normally a hot ticket in the summertime.
Captain Mike Steckhan and Joan Steckhan say that measures carried out by the province's Water Security Agency (WSA) weren't enough to shift the tide of their worries about their vessel remaining essentially land-locked.
Originally, the WSA announced that it would begin letting out water at 90 cubic meters per second instead of 65 from the Gardiner Dam's reservoir at Lake Diefenbaker on July 31. Such a practice was being done in order to help flush out years of built-up silt in the bottom of the South Saskatchewan River. The WSA's projections forecasted that the reservoir would rise by approximately 0.57 m over a period of ten days.
Unfortunately for the Prairie Lily, the measure wasn't good enough for the vessel to once again head out across the waters of the South Saskatchewan.
However, that didn't stop staff from gathering some grassroots support from the public.
A poll question asked readers on SaskToday.ca, "How should Saskatoon resolve the Prairie Lily's docked season?" and with that, Mike and Joan encouraged visitors to the vessel's Facebook page to visit the news site and vote. To date, the results of that poll question are as follows:
How should Saskatoon resolve the Prairie Lily's docked season?
Push the Water Security Agency for a one-time “flush” with higher release rates. Total votes: 40, 31.0%
Accept the docked season and focus on dockside events instead. Total votes: 27, 20.9%
Look into alternative river tourism without reliance on deep water navigation. Total votes: 15, 11.6%
Seek government intervention for future, scheduled water management plans. Total votes: 46, 35.7%
Something else: 1 vote, 0.8%
A link to that poll is available here
"When I first saw the survey, the results were showing a tendency towards the answers to accept the docked season or to look at other river tourism that doesn't require deep water navigation," said Joan. "We had issues with both those answers. We have accepted the docked season and are doing dockside events. What the first answer does not recognize is it is a money losing venture, kind of like telling some, 'Go to work and pay your employer for the pleasure.' We are only doing to keep the ship alive and remain relevant in our community. The second answer is simply wrong. A river boat IS shallow water navigation, drawing less than 3 feet. With the worsening condition of the river, noting there will be even more sand in the spring of 2026, there is no option for river tourism of any sort. You won't be able to canoe in the river soon. It's difficult now. So, noting your readers were voting for those answers, we did not want to leave the survey with those results. We know it is not scientific, but we felt it was important nonetheless."
Steckhan says their social media posts have helped sway things to what's seen as a more favourable option. However, the current state of the river levels mean that this is also a story that will be continuously told next year.
"Our Facebook post turned the tide of the survey results," she said. "The result is the majority voted to get a one-time flush to clear the sand or to have the government mandate a water management plan. Either of those recognize the situation in the river and that something needs to be done. Holding water back and continuing irrigation to the detriment of 600 km of river is not reasonable. The public needs to have a clear understanding of that. Again, spring 2026 will keep telling this story."
Steckhan says that requests to speak with various ministers went unanswered, seeking particular comment from Minister Daryl Harrison, responsible for the Water Security Agency and Agriculture. Joan maintains that officials need to further develop water use strategies that keep all uses in mind.
"The Minister did sit in on one meeting with the WSA and only indicated he has to listen to the advice of his officials," she said. "It is our contention the officials need to develop a water use strategy that recognizes all water uses, including irrigation AND downstream silt movement. This is not what they are currently doing or recommending."
As for Mike, Joan and the Prairie Lily itself, they're offering dockside dinners, brunches and drinks on various dates until August 27, after which the season comes to an end. On top of that, Mike and Joan are also retiring, with the vessel currently for sale.
