Boating advisory issued for Elbow River

The City of Calgary is issuing a boating advisory for the Elbow River, due to higher expected flow rates and the current forecast. Everyone is advised against boating and all other watercraft activities on the Elbow River during this time. For the safety of river users and emergency responders, The City advises everyone to stay off the Elbow River until conditions return to safer levels and the advisory is lifted.

Though no flooding over riverbanks is expected, flow rates are expected to increase, making conditions on and near the river dangerous. Water temperature remains cold and with the higher flow rates, water turbidity is increased, making hazards difficult to see.

Members of the Calgary Fire Department Aquatics Team will be monitoring the rivers while the advisory is in place.

Water levels have been lowered at upstream reservoirs on the Bow River and at the Glenmore Reservoir to make room for additional flood waters. Pathways in lower-lying areas are being closed and stormwater outfalls at several locations along the Bow and Elbow Rivers will also be closed. If conditions escalate, The City has materials stockpiled and ready for riverbank protection and temporary barriers should they need to be installed.

The advisory is in response to a special weather statement that was issued on June 12, 2022, that stated that there will be significant rainfall in the forecast for the Kananaskis region, west of Calgary, with potentially as much as 75-100 mm expected by Wednesday morning. This amount of rain has the potential to quickly raise flow rates on the Bow and Elbow Rivers. 

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