Calgary Fire Department issues river safety advisory for Bow and Elbow Rivers

With continued rainfall and rising waters levels, the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) advises against boating and all other water activities on the Bow and Elbow Rivers, effective immediately. 

The Bow and Elbow Rivers have exceeded safe recommended flow rates for boating, floating or swimming, and it is expected these levels will sustain through Canada Day and potentially into the end of the week. 

While The City’s Environmental Risk and Resilience team has advised that widespread overbank flooding is not anticipated, localized flooding remains possible, and high flow rates may continue, 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. Strong winds have also increased the number of debris, such as trees and branches in the rivers. The higher speed of the water increases the risks of being swept away for anyone that falls into the water, and there is a higher risk of being pinned against obstacles such as bridge pillars. 

“While the school year has ended and everyone is excited for summer, the Calgary Fire Department advises everyone to stay off the Bow and the Elbow Rivers, until safer conditions return and the river safety advisory is lifted,” says Alex Kwan, CFD’s Public Information Officer.  

“We know that Calgarians love their rivers, and as we head into the Stampede, we welcome lots of visitors, so we want to remind everyone that when our waterways flow this high and fast, there’s significant risk, regardless of your watercraft or skill level. Those walking near our City’s rivers, including people with pets, should be careful as well.”

Along with turbidity and debris, conditions for a CFD River usage advisory include Bow River flow rates exceeding 280 cubic meters per second and flow rates in Elbow River exceeding 50 cubic meters per second.

Calgary Fire and its Aquatics Team will continue to monitor Calgary’s waterways while the advisory is in place and will notify Calgarians when the advisory is lifted.

It is important for Calgarians near the river to be careful due to high flow levels. Calgarians are urged to: 

1. Reschedule any recreational activities on Bow and Elbow Rivers until the advisory is lifted. 
2. Warn their children about the dangers of fast-moving water, particularly those residents who live near the rivers. 
3. Cyclists and pedestrians should watch for low-lying areas where the river can submerge the pathways. 
4. Keep pets away from fast-moving water. 

Visit calgary.ca/watersafety for more information as well as calgary.ca/flood for the latest information on river conditions. Visit calgary.ca/pathwayclosures for up-to-date information on pathway closures. 

Courtesy: The City of Calgary Newsroom