This is how you can track how high rivers are getting in Alberta with all the rain
Flood watches and warnings are in effect for numerous rivers and streams across Alberta, and you can check just how high some are currently.
June has been an exceptionally wet month for areas in central Alberta, and heavy rain also fell in portions of western, central, and southern Alberta this weekend, with Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasting up to 100 millimetres in some spots.
Areas such as Canmore have declared a State of Local Emergency, and a flood watch is in place for every steep creek in the Canmore area, including Cougar Creek, Stoneworks Creeks, XYZ, and Three Sisters.
The town says conditions are rapidly changing, and flowing water and debris pose a serious threat to human safety and infrastructure. Stay away from all creeks. Embankments and pathways are unsafe.
On Monday, Kananaskis Improvement District declared a State of Local Emergency due to ongoing rainfall and localized flooding that has affected road access and several recreation areas.
Emergency teams are coordinating response efforts through the activated Kananaskis Region Emergency Coordination Centre, supporting campground evacuations as necessary, monitoring infrastructure, and maintaining road closures where needed. William Watson Lodge is available as a temporary shelter for those in the area who require a safe, dry place to stay.
If you’re looking to see data on water levels in rivers across the province, the Alberta River Basins website is a handy resource to keep an eye on flood alerts, advisories, reporting and water management content.
A flood warning is also in effect for the Elbow River, while flood watches are in effect for the Red Deer River near Sundre and the Little Red Deer River Basin.
Alberta River Basins
On the Alberta River Basins website, 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.