The search for missing U of S student Hamza Alsharief on Saturday wasn't undertaken because of a tip, according to assistant fire chief Dan Paulsen, but a jacket they believe belonged to the student.

It was found on the CP bridge late December last year.

"That doesn't always preclude to the fact that somebody is going to be within the water, but that's what led us to do some searching downstream from the CP bridge, at least to city limits," said Paulsen.

"Where we're sitting right now, it's negative on the search."

Crews had to wait on both weather and resources before combing the water and river banks -- Paulsen said they'll put divers in once the ice cap clears.

Alsharief, 23, has been missing since Dec. 14. He was a chemical engineering student on a scholarship from Saudi Arabia.

Edited by News Talk Radio's Jared Knoll.