River flooding in Calgary
Conditions for May 16: Normal spring flow on Bow and Elbow Rivers
24-hour river forecast
- There is no anticipated risk of river flooding for the next five days, based on current forecasts.
- Both the Glenmore Reservoir on the Elbow River and the Ghost Reservoir on the Bow River have been lowered to their 2024 target levels for the start of this year’s flood season.
- The current weather forecasts are predicting between 10 to 20 mm of precipitation in the Bow basin and 20 to 50 mm of precipitation in the Elbow basin over the next five days, with the majority occurring between Friday and Sunday, and snow expected at higher elevations.
- Streamflows in Calgary are expected to stay steady or increase modestly on both the Bow and Elbow Rivers over the next five days from snowmelt and the forecasted precipitation.
How we’re responding
- No impacts at this time.
- We’re continuing to monitor river conditions.
What you can do
Direct rainwater away from your home
Eavestroughs and extensions should drain at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) away from yours and your neighbours’ home and onto a landscaped area so the water can soak into the ground.
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
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.
Next update: May 17, 2024
Conditions are updated daily in the morning, Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays) from mid-May to mid-July.
High river flow season is May 15 - July 15
Looking for updates? Sign up for our flood e-newsletter to get the latest news on river conditions, tips and resources during high river flow season.
Flood 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 drought 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.
To learn more about drought in Calgary, including how we are monitoring and responding to drought – and what you can do to help, visit Calgary.ca/DroughtInfo.
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 55%. Learn more about our short and long-term actions.