Each year during flood season, the City of Calgary undertakes a flood readiness campaign to share flood-related information and resources.

We’ve shared current river conditions from the City’s latest flood readiness newsletter below.

Read the full June 2nd newsletter online including a boating advisory for the Bow and Elbow Rivers, information on understanding river flows, and recommendations for flood preparations during this COVID-19 pandemic.

• Visit Calgary.ca/floodinfo for information.
• Explore the interactive River flooding story map.
• Sign up for the flood readiness e-newsletter (May 6 and May 13 newsletters are also available).
• Download the Flood Readiness Guide.
• Monitor river conditions on Alberta Rivers or download the app.
• Receive alerts via Alberta Emergency Alerts or download the app.

Additionally, you can find a roundup of flood season media coverage on our blog.

Regards,

Your CRCAG Board

Current river conditions (June 2, 2020) 

The City of Calgary continually monitors conditions, including weather, snow pack, river and reservoir levels to prepare for potential flooding. River flows fluctuate greatly during spring, and flows up to 400 m3/s on the Bow and 100 m3/s on the Elbow are not out of the ordinary. If there is going to be a risk of flooding, we work with Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) to notify Calgarians by posting advisories online and in the media.

Here’s a snapshot of the current conditions:

• The recent hot weather and melting snow followed by thundershowers has resulted in higher river levels compared to last week on the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
• No flooding over the riverbanks is expected, however, flows on the Bow and Elbow are currently fast, cold and murky. A boating advisory is in place in Calgary, and Calgarians are advised to stay off the rivers. (see more below)
• There is only snow remaining at high altitudes now. In these locations, snow pack is still average, to above the seasonal average for this time of year.
• In the coming week, snowmelt is expected to slow with cooler temperatures, but more rain is expected. The City and AEP are monitoring conditions and will update advisories if necessary.
• TransAlta and AEP are maintaining the water level in Ghost Reservoir at its target level based on current conditions.
• The Glenmore Reservoir is being maintained at its current target of 1.7m below the crest of the dam.
•  Bow River flow at downtown Calgary this week = 175-315 m3/s (average to above average for this time of year).
•  Elbow River flow below Glenmore Dam this week = 25-55 m3/s (average to above average for this time of year).

Advisories, river flows and reservoir levels can be checked at the Alberta Rivers website or app for iOS or Android. If there is a current advisory in place for our watershed, it will be listed in the banner at the top of the webpage/app, and our watershed will be highlighted on the map.

You can also check AEP’s weather and river flow forecasts by going to the menu at the top left (three horizontal lines) and selecting “Forecaster Comments”.

Learn more about river flow rates – what is normal, and when flooding begins, at our updated River Flow Rates webpage.