River flooding in Calgary

Conditions for July 12: Normal spring flow on Bow and Elbow River

Flood dial image description

Normal spring flow on the Bow and Elbow Rivers

24-hour river forecast

  • There is no anticipated risk of river flooding for the next 5 days based on current forecasts.
  • No significant precipitation was recorded in either the Bow basin or Elbow basin over the last 24 hours.
  • No significant precipitation is expected today. Light precipitation (5 to 10 mm) is expected between Friday and Sunday.
  • Due to the low flood risk in the forecast, the level of both the Glenmore Reservoir and the Ghost Reservoir are dynamically managed based on complex and ever-changing conditions, anticipating both flood risk and water supply needs.

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.

Please note:

This will be the final daily river conditions update for 2024.

With most of the snowpack gone and no significant rain in the forecast to create river flood risk, the 2024 high river flow season has ended for Calgary. The daily river condition updates will return in May 2025.

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.

West Eau Claire Flood Barrier

Heritage Drive Flood Barrier

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