Kamloops residents will have to find innovative ways to stay cool through this weekend's heat wave as one of the City's most accessible waterways remains closed due to high water.

A ban on watercrafts and floatation devices issued June 21 remains in place for the South Thompson River beginning at the North Thompson confluence at Riverside Park through to Pioneer Park and ending at Lafarge.

Kamloops emergency personnel decided to maintain the ban when high waters kept rescue watercrafts from clearing the CN Rail bridge.

The river hasn't receded much due to rainfall over the weekend and on Tuesday. There's also a "bump" anticipated from the Shuswap drainage basin

"It's not expected to go up any, but it's not expected to reduce significantly," said Learned.

There have been a few reports of people in the water despite the ban, said Learned, but fines haven't been issued. Policing wasn't topmost of mind when the river ban was announced last week.

"If people disregard the risk and go out on the waterway, they do run to risk of being fined under the Canada Shipping Act," said Learned. "But the bigger risk is the damage to themselves or their watercraft — damage that may not be insurable and injuries that could be prevented."

The South Thompson River is open from the confluence of the North Thompson west to Kamloops Lake. But boaters are reminded to watch for debris in the river and to use extra caution around bridge structures and pilings.

The ban should be lifted sometime over the next week when river levels are expected to recede, said Learned.