"A day at the pool or on the water should end with nothing but great memories," said Priya Bhasin-Singh, Director, Aquatics and Community Leisure Centres. "The vast majority of water-related tragedies are preventable. Whether you're an experienced swimmer or trying the water for the first time, staying within your abilities, supervising children closely and wearing a properly fitted life jacket saves lives. Water safety is a shared responsibility, and every safe choice helps protect the people we care about."
All five outdoor pools - Borden Natural Swimming Pool, Fred Broadstock, Mill Creek, Queen Elizabeth, Wîhkwêntôwin (Oliver) - are open for the season. Attendance for outdoor pools, from May long weekend 2026 to July 20, 2026, is 42,819 people.
Building confidence through swimming
Learning to swim is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of drowning.
The City offers the free Welcome to Swimming program at Clareview, Mill Woods and the Meadows Recreation Centres. This program offers an introduction to using City swimming pools. The first visit includes a facility tour, including amenities such as the waterslide and hot tub, a lifejacket fitting and a complimentary swim assessment. Afterwards, participants are welcome to stay for a free public swim. Translators are also welcome and provided with free admission to assist participants.
The local reality: River and water safety in Edmonton
While water activities are a cherished part of summer, open moving water presents unique safety challenges.
- In 2025, Edmonton Park Rangers conducted 10,842 safety compliance checks on the North Saskatchewan River, a 15 per cent increase compared to 2024.
Rangers issued 3,460 warnings for lack of safety equipment in 2025, up 15 per cent from 2024.
- Rangers performed 21 river rescues in 2025, a 23 per cent increase from 2024.
- So far in 2026, Park Rangers have conducted 67 river safety compliance checks and have issued six warnings for missing safety equipment. All six violations involved individuals who were not wearing a life-jacket or did not have one with them.
- These numbers are lower compared to 2025, partly due to record-breaking rainfall and temporary boat launch closures earlier this season.
Drowning statistics
Drowning remains a leading cause of preventable injury-related death.
Key facts:
- This summer has brought record-breaking rainfall, raising water levels in the North Saskatchewan River and stormwater ponds. Higher water levels can increase the risk of drowning.
- According to the Lifesaving Society:
- Approximately seven in 10 drownings occur in natural bodies of water, including lakes, rivers and oceans.
- Only one per cent of drownings occur in settings supervised by lifeguards.
- More than one in three people who drowned while swimming had weak swimming skills or could not swim.
- Nearly 100 per cent of drownings in children under 5 years old were due to lack of, or distracted, supervision around pools, waterfronts and bathtubs.
Simple steps that save lives
The City encourages everyone to follow these important water safety practices:
- Keep children within arm's reach whenever near water, including pools, lakes, rivers and bathtubs.
- Recognize that open water presents different challenges than swimming pools. Check local conditions, understand your limits and remember that inflatable toys can drift quickly.
- Never swim alone. Always swim with a buddy.
- Wear a properly fitted lifejacket when on the river or boating, regardless of swimming ability or watercraft. Consider lifejackets for pets as well.
- Stay sober in, on and around water. Alcohol and cannabis impair judgment, balance and reaction time, increasing the risk of drowning and boating incidents.
River safety and precautions
The North Saskatchewan River is unpredictable, with flow rates that change rapidly and without notice. Regardless of swimming ability, a lifejacket is required within Edmonton city limits while in, on or holding onto any vessel being used on the North Saskatchewan River or any other body of water. For more information, please visit edmonton.ca/RiverSafety.
Swift-moving water is relentless and can present serious risks to anyone, including pets. Edmontonians are strongly encouraged to keep pets leashed when near the North Saskatchewan River and Edmonton’s stormwater ponds. Riverbanks may be weak or unstable due to erosion.
If your pet falls into the river or a stormwater pond and cannot get out on their own, do not attempt to rescue them yourself. Call 911 for assistance and keep an eye on the pet or its last known location until emergency responders arrive.
National Drowning Prevention Week concludes with World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25. Established by the United Nations in 2021, the annual observance raises global awareness of drowning as a preventable public health issue and promotes life-saving actions.
Swimming is a lifelong skill that builds confidence, promotes safety and opens the door to lifelong recreation. The City encourages individuals and families to register for swimming lessons and make water safety part of every summer adventure.
