The Weir

Description of the Historic Place

The Weir, which was initially a water reservoir and regulator of water flow through the city, is a landmark in Saskatoon. Located along the South Saskatchewan River, between the University Bridge and the CPR Bridge, it was initially constructed in 1939.

Heritage Value

In 1938, federal agriculture minister J.G. Gardiner approved the construction of the Weir, as a relief project during the Depression. The Weir was designed to raise the water level in and adjacent to the city by 6 feet or more. This would make the river safer for boating and other aquatic activities, and would create a water reservoir through the city to ensure the city's potable and power house water intakes would be under water year round. The Weir was designed by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) and paid for by the City of Saskatoon. The location of the Weir along Spadina Crescent East was chosen due to its proximity to the CPR Bridge.

Construction on the Weir was completed in early 1940 and on March 15, 1940, the coffer dams were removed and the first river water flowed over the Weir. With the construction of the Gardiner Dam at Lake Diefenbaker in 1967, the Weir was no longer functional as the Gardiner Dam controlled river levels. Today, the Weir largely functions as a landscape feature.  A gravelled parking lot adjacent to the Weir was built in 1961, and the Meewasin Trail was built near the site in 1981. About 350,000 people visit the Weir each year, and it has become an educational and recreational focal point for the Meewasin Trail. The area around the Weir was upgraded between 2001 and 2002 through a $1.3 million redevelopment project. The Weir has become a prominent landmark and attraction along the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon with many opportunities for sight-seeing and bird watching.

Source: City of Saskatoon

Character Defining Elements

Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:

• Those features that relate to its cultural value, including its location and proximity to the Meewasin Trail and the CPR Bridge.