Water levels are rising in some Alberta rivers, and here's a way to track them

Flood watches are in effect for some rivers in the Alberta Rockies, and as we head into the weekend, there’s a way to track their water levels for peace of mind.

Lake Louise RCMP and Parks Canada say that due to the combination of high snowpack, warm temperatures and forecasted rain, many rivers and streams in Banff National Park are flowing at higher-than-normal levels. These conditions are expected to continue over the weekend and into Monday.

Some low-lying areas are experiencing nuisance flooding, and visitors may encounter temporary closures of trails and day-use areas in impacted locations. The RCMP, Parks Canada, and other emergency response partners are monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond if necessary.

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If you’re looking to see data on water levels in rivers not only being impacted in Banff National Park but across the province, the Alberta River Basins website is a handy resource to have to keep an eye on flood alerts, advisories, reporting and water management content.

Alberta River Basins

There, you can jump from river to river to see their level data, measured in metres, and flow rates, measured in cubic metres per second. Some locations even have a camera that periodically posts new photos of a stream so you can get a sense of the conditions there.

The definitions of some key advisories you may see on the website include:

• High Streamflow Advisory: Stream levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, and no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Anyone situated close to the streams affected is advised to be cautious of the rising levels.
• Flood Watch: Stream levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull. Flooding of areas adjacent to these streams may occur. Anyone situated close to the river is advised to take appropriate precautionary measures.
• Flood Warning: Rising stream levels will result in flooding of areas adjacent to the streams affected. Anyone situated close to the river should take appropriate measures to avoid flood damage

Another handy website is the Flood Awareness Map Application, which lists flood hazard, inundation, likelihood, and range maps.