Calgary river flows - historical data

The City of Calgary collects data of river flows on the Bow and Elbow River. Information on this page provides a historical look at river flows.

Historical flow rates for the Bow and Elbow Rivers

The term 1-in-100 refers to the probability of flooding, meaning there is a one percent chance in any given year that it may flood to the level we saw in 2013.

Below are the annual return period (probability of occurring) flow rates.

Return period (in years) Probability of occurrence in any given year (%) Elbow River above Glenmore Dam (m3/s) Elbow River below Glenmore Dam (m3/s) Bow River above Elbow River (m3/s) Bow River below Elbow River (m3/s)

2

50%

74

74

208

271

5

20%

167

150

377

489

10

10%

262

150

595

745

20

5%

268

150

745

895

50

2%

303

150

1217

1367

100

1%

369

150

1710

1860

200

0.5%

690

150

2435

2585

500

0.2%

1240

901

3615

4015

History of maximum flows

Bow River (above the Elbow River)

Maximum flow of Bow River

Click to view larger image.

Elbow River (below Glenmore Dam)

Maximum flow of Elbow River

Click to view larger image.

Elbow River (above Glenmore Dam)

Maximum flow of Elbow River

Click to view larger image.

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