WC143 JulyAug 2025 - Magazine - Page 7
Flood protection levelled up
in Calgary
ALBERTA’S GOVERNMENT has released new Bow and Elbow
Getty Images
River flood maps showing that Calgary’s flood risk along
the Elbow River has been drastically reduced thanks to the
recently completed Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir and
other initiatives. More projects are already underway to
keep strengthening flood protections in the city.
“We committed to protect Calgary and other communities from floods and we are seeing the results. These new
flood maps are good news for families and businesses, but
we are also going to keep investing in reservoirs, berms,
updated flood maps and the critical infrastructure needed
to keep people and their property safe,” said Rebecca
Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.
Knowing where the water will flow during a flood is
critical to understanding where it is safe to farm, safe to
build, and how to best prepare for emergency situations.
These maps will help the City of Calgary design and build
for the future.
While flood risks will vary at any given location, the
newly released maps show significant decreases in major
flood risks in many areas of Calgary. That is because, in
the future, if water in the Elbow River rises to dangerous
levels, the flow will be diverted into the Springbank Offstream Reservoir and further reduced by the Glenmore
Dam. This not only reduces the risk of flooding along the
Elbow River in Calgary and other downstream communities, it also helps prevent future disasters like the devastating 2013 flood.
Alberta’s government has finalized more flood maps in
the past five years than in the previous thirty-five years
combined, with many more studies now underway. The
relocated Ghost Dam project continues to advance on the
Bow River, and the province has launched the five-year
$125-million Drought and Flood Protection Program to
help protect families, businesses and communities across
the province.
Alberta’s government has 昀椀nalized more 昀氀ood maps in the past 昀椀ve years
than in the previous 35 years combined.
MORE NEWS
AND UPDATES AT
WATERCANADA.NET
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WATER C AN ADA • JULY/AUGUS T 2025
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