The North Saskatchewan River is on the rise and Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Steinborn is warning residents about dangerous conditions on the waterway.
"The levels are rising fast, the current is very strong and the river is choked with debris," says Steinborn, who has been monitoring the river conditions for North Battleford Fire and Emergency Services.
"A rescue under these conditions would be very difficult," he adds.
The City has closed the boat launch as a precaution and NBFES is warning people to stay way from and off of the river. Even being close to the water is risky as the banks can be slippery and unstable, Steinborn says.
The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority says river flow will continue to increase over the course of the week as heavy precipitation at the headwaters of the North Saskatchewan River in Alberta and on the Red Deer River Basin makes its way downstream.
The river level is anticipated to increase by 1.5 metres through the Battlefords.
