Saskatoon police and fire crews were in the area of the South Saskatchewan River on Saturday afternoon after receiving multiple reports of a jet-ski operator going over the weir and under the water. The incident occurred around 4:45 p.m., according to a police news release. No other information about the person was provided at the time.
No recovery as of Sunday
As of Sunday, a police spokesperson confirmed that no one had been recovered from the water. The investigation is ongoing, and several emergency response workers remain in the area. There are no roadway restrictions, but pedestrian walkways in the area are closed to foot traffic, according to Saturday's police release.
Police have asked people to avoid the area and contact them with any information regarding the incident.
History and danger of the weir
The weir, located just before the CPR bridge that connects the City Park neighbourhood to the University of Saskatchewan, was completed in 1940 to regulate water flow and raise water levels throughout the city. According to the City of Saskatoon's website, the weir stopped having a functional role after the Gardiner Dam at Lake Diefenbaker was built in 1967 and has since existed as a heritage feature.
Weirs can pose an extreme danger as the reverse current traps objects and repeatedly forces them back under the water, making it difficult to surface long enough to swim out.
