River flooding in Calgary
Conditions for June 2: Rivers expected to peak today; no widespread flooding expected in Calgary
Flood dial image description
High spring flow on the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
Next update: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Conditions are updated regularly during river flood season (mid-May to mid-July).
Current outlook
Current outlook
- A cold wet front has brought an average of 90 mm of rain across the Bow and Elbow River catchments since Saturday evening. Some of this fell as snow at the highest elevations in the mountains. The highest recorded rainfall was in the Jumpingpoud Creek catchment (flows to the Bow River upstream of Calgary), at 160mm so far.
- In Calgary, 70-110mm of rain has fallen since Saturday.
- Rain is expected to tail off today, bringing another 10-15mm.
- Rivers and creeks are expected to continue to rise, expected to peak Tuesday afternoon. Calgarians should be extra cautious near fast-moving rivers and creeks.
- Low-lying areas and pathways may see localized flooding, but no widespread flooding is expected. As foreceast going into this event, flood response actions such as road or bridge closures, flood barriers, operation of the Springbank Reservoir (SR1) or evacuations have not been required.
- As rainfall in Calgary continues, water may pool in streets and around catch basins.
- A City of Calgary Boating Advisory has been issued (check calgary.ca/watersafety before going on the river).
- A Provincial High Streamflow Advisory has been issued for several basins surrounding Calgary, and may be issued for the Bow and Elbow Rivers in Calgary.
How we’re responding
How we’re responding
- Some pathway closures due to increased flows expected over the next few days.
- A Boating Advisory is in place (www.calgary.ca/watersafety).
- We have lowered Glenmore Reservoir to make room for high Elbow River flows.
- We are communicating regularly with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Alberta River Forecast Centre, and TransAlta to share the best available information.
- Crews, equipment and materials are ready in case we need to respond.
- We’re continuing to monitor rainfall and river conditions 24/7.
- In preparation for flood season each year, The City completes exercises and testing of infrastructure like river outfalls, lift stations and temporary barrier deployments.
- City stormwater crews are monitoring and responding to drainage concerns.
- We are prepared to communicate as needed through the event, should conditions change and additional actions be required.
What you can do
What you can do
Stay safe near rivers
When the rivers and creeks rise in Calgary, stay away from the banks, including children and pets, as high flows can cause bank erosion and instability. Before going out on the river (rafting, fishing, kayaking), check calgary.ca/watersafety. If there is a boating advisory, stay off the river for your safety.
Direct rainwater away from your home
Eavestroughs and extensions should drain at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) away from your and your neighbour's home and onto a landscaped area so the water can soak into the ground.
Ensure your basement is flood resilient
When river levels are high, and/or when it rains heavily, water can enter basements. Check your sump pump and backflow valve if you have them, to make sure they are in good working order. Consider moving valuable or sentimental items to higher levels. Consider installing a water alarm to for an early alert about any water entering your basement. Check your insurance policy to see if you’re covered for groundwater basement flooding.
Help us keep an eye on storm drains
During intense rainfalls, storm drains can be temporarily overwhelmed and it may take some time for water to drain. In some areas of the city, we’ve installed a device in the storm drains to manage how fast water flows into the pipes from the storm drain that helps prevent the system from becoming overwhelmed with stormwater, avoiding water backups into basements or flooding into houses, garages and businesses.
If you see water pooling around storm drains and it hasn’t drained within 90 mins, take a photo and submit it via the 311 app or online request. This will help City crews respond on a priority basis. If safety is a concern or water is entering a building, contact 311 immediately.
Stay informed
Stay informed
Weather and river conditions in Calgary can change quickly and without notice.
- Sign up for alerts.
- For real-time updates and advisories, see Alberta’s current river flow.
- Watch the media and The City’s social media for updates if conditions warrant it.
High river flow season is May 15 - July 15
Stay updated
Sign up for the Calgary's Rivers newsletter for the latest news about Calgary’s watershed, river conditions, tips and resources during high river flow season.
Stay updated
Sign up for the Calgary's Rivers newsletter for the latest news about Calgary’s watershed, river conditions, tips and resources during high river flow season.
Subscribe hereFlood resources
We can’t prevent flooding entirely, and it can happen quickly with little or no warning. Protecting our community and citizens from flooding is a shared responsibility – we all have a role to play.
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View flood maps
Know your flood risk. Search for your property on our flood mapping tool to see if you are at risk for flooding.
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Prepare for flooding
Take steps to reduce flood damage to your home and ensure your family knows what to do if a flood happens. Find preparation resources on this page, including guides in Traditional and Simplified Chinese.
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Stay informed
Sign up for e-mail alerts and find a list of flood notification resources, including City of Calgary emergency notices.
Did you know?
Flooding can occur even during dry conditions.
Although Calgary has a dry climate, flooding is always possible. With our proximity to the mountains, we can experience unpredictable swings in the weather, from heavy rains leading to floods, to many weeks of dry temperatures and little rain leading to droughts.
Learn more about how we monitor and respond to the conditions and how you can help:
Flood mitigation projects
Calgary is better prepared today for flood events like the one in 2013. We’ve taken steps to reduce Calgary’s exposure to flood damage that have reduced our flood risk by 70 per cent as of 2026.
Sunnyside Flood Barrier
The communities of Sunnyside, Kensington and Hillhurst are now protected from a 1-in-100 flood, due to the functional completion of the Memorial Parkway / Sunnyside Flood Barrier. The 2.4 km barrier includes a combination of permanent concrete and metal flood walls, with additional temporary barriers to close gaps across roadways and pathways during flood response.
Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir
Calgary’s Elbow River communities are now protected from 2013-sized floods, thanks to the new Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) located along the Elbow River, upstream of Calgary. The ‘dry' reservoir will only be filled during floods, and will work together with the Glenmore Reservoir to significantly increase the overall floodwater storage capacity on the Elbow River.