River flooding in Calgary
Conditions for May 22: Normal spring flow on Bow and Elbow Rivers
Flood dial image description
Normal spring flow on the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
Next update: Monday, May 25, 2026
Conditions are updated regularly during river flood season (mid-May to mid-July).
Current outlook
Current outlook
- No river flooding expected in the next five days.
- Warm and mostly dry conditions are expected through Monday, with a chance of moderate rain mid‑next week. River levels in Calgary are expected to continue rising gently due to snowmelt and warmer temperatures.
How we’re responding
How we’re responding
- No impacts at this time.
- We’re continuing to monitor river conditions.
- In preparation for flood season each year, The City completes exercises and testing of infrastructure like river outfalls, lift stations and temporary barrier deployments.
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.
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.