Calgary residents can expect river levels to reach their peak sometime Tuesday as heavy precipitation continues to soak the city and surrounding watersheds, officials announced Monday.
The City of Calgary reported between 40 and 80 millimetres of rain has fallen since Saturday across Calgary and the Bow and Elbow River catchments, with forecasters predicting an additional 70 millimetres through midday Tuesday. Despite the substantial rainfall, city officials stressed that widespread flooding is not expected.
"The anticipated river flows will remain below a quarter of the peak levels recorded during the 2013 floods," a city spokesperson confirmed in a statement Monday.
Cold Temperatures Provide Natural Buffer
Cooler alpine conditions are working in Calgary's favour. Precipitation at higher elevations is falling as snow rather than rain, which slows snowmelt runoff and reduces the overall severity of water flow downstream. This natural brake on runoff is a key factor keeping the situation manageable.
Reservoir management has also played a crucial role. Both the Glenmore Reservoir and TransAlta's Ghost Reservoir have been strategically lowered ahead of the weather event to maximize storage capacity—a lesson learned from past flooding disasters.
River Safety Warnings Intensify
While major flooding appears unlikely, the City of Calgary is taking no chances with public safety. A boating advisory remains firmly in effect, with current river flows measured at more than 360 cubic metres per second—well above the 280 m³/s threshold that triggers such warnings.
Alex Kwan, public information officer with the Calgary Fire Department, issued a stark warning to residents: "It's just not safe. You're not going to enjoy yourself—the water is very cold and it's murky."
The advisory comes after firefighters responded Monday afternoon to a water rescue call at Harvie Passage along the Bow River, where a group of kayakers ventured into dangerous conditions. Fortunately, no rescue was required, but the incident underscores the risks residents are taking by ignoring safety guidance.
Pathway Closures in Effect
Multiple pathway closures are currently active along the Elbow River, including at the 25 Avenue underpass, CNR Bridge underpass, and MacLeod Trail north and south. The City of Calgary has indicated that evacuations, road closures, bridge shutdowns, and deployment of flood barriers like those at Montgomery, downtown, and Sunnyside are not anticipated.
"For most users, these conditions simply aren't suitable for recreational water activities," Kwan said. "If someone unexpectedly ends up in the water, call 911 immediately and our team will be there."
River levels are expected to continue rising through Tuesday morning before stabilizing. The City of Calgary is continuing to monitor conditions closely and will provide updates as the weather system moves through.
This article is based on reporting from Global Calgary.