A low-pressure system moving across southern Alberta has prompted city officials to issue a flood warning as Calgary braces for what meteorologists are calling “potentially significant rainfall” throughout the weekend. Environment Canada forecasts suggest accumulated precipitation could exceed 80 millimeters in some areas by Monday morning.
“We’re monitoring this situation extremely closely,” said Sue Henry, Chief of Calgary Emergency Management Agency, during Thursday’s press briefing. “While we don’t anticipate flooding on the scale of 2013, we’re taking all necessary precautionary measures to protect vulnerable neighborhoods and infrastructure.”
The City of Calgary has activated its emergency operations center and deployed crews to clear storm drains and install temporary barriers in flood-prone areas along the Bow and Elbow Rivers. Officials are particularly concerned about ground saturation from previous rainfall events, which could exacerbate runoff issues and increase the flood risk.
The Calgary Fire Department has issued a boating advisory for both major waterways, citing dangerous conditions including high flow rates and potential debris. Residents living in riverside communities, including Bowness, Sunnyside, and Mission, are being advised to move valuables from basements and prepare emergency kits.
“The combination of saturated ground and intense rainfall creates significant challenges for our drainage systems,” explained Francois Bouchart, Director of Water Resources with the City of Calgary. “We’ve been working diligently since 2013 to improve our flood mitigation infrastructure, but residents should remain vigilant.”
Local businesses along riverside pathways are taking precautions, with many removing inventory from lower levels. The popular Eau Claire Market has implemented its flood response protocol, including the installation of temporary flood barriers around the perimeter of the building.
TransAlta, which manages the Ghost Reservoir upstream of Calgary, has been gradually lowering water levels since Wednesday to increase storage capacity. This measure, implemented after the devastating 2013 floods, provides additional protection by allowing the reservoir to capture excess water during heavy rainfall events.
City parks officials have also closed several low-lying pathways and parks adjacent to waterways as a precautionary measure. The closure includes portions of Fish Creek Provincial Park and sections of the pathway system along the Bow River.
“We strongly encourage Calgarians to stay away from riverbanks during this rainfall event,” said Inspector Keith Cain of the Calgary Police Service. “Water levels can rise quickly, and banks can become unstable and dangerous.”
For residents concerned about potential flooding, the city has established sandbag stations at four locations throughout Calgary, including Bowness Park, Sue Higgins Park, and the Municipal Building downtown. Officials recommend checking the City of Calgary’s flood readiness website for up-to-date information on flood protection measures.
As climate patterns continue to shift, bringing more frequent extreme weather events to the Canadian Prairies, how will Calgary’s ongoing investments in flood mitigation infrastructure hold up against this new normal of unpredictable precipitation?
