Below normal snowpack means low chance of flooding in Calgary this year
It's the start of flood season in southern Alberta, but it appears the City of Calgary doesn't face much of a threat from the rising waters of the Bow and Elbow rivers this year.
Doctor John Pomeroy, chair of the Centre for Hydrology at the University of Saskatchewan, told Global News that snowpack measurements in the Rocky Mountains 'are all well below normal and melting early,' which means 'there's much lower-than-normal water supply for local rivers.'
If any flooding were to occur, it would need to be 'driven more by rainfall,' said Pomeroy, which could occur even in a drought year if a big enough storm comes through.
View image in full screen
The Springbank off-stream reservoir, being built west of Calgary, is designed to help protect the city from future flooding along the Elbow River. Global News
Frank Frigo, manager of environmental management for the City of Calgary, claims flood mitigation efforts since the devastating flood of 2013 have led to greater protection against flooding in Calgary.
Story continues below advertisement
'We have eliminated 70 per cent of the amount of damages we can expect from flooding going forward,' said Frigo.
View image in full screen
The devastating 2013 flooding in the City of Calgary is estimated to have done about $5 billion in damage, making it one of the costliest disasters in Canadian history. Global News
Recent flood protection projects in the Calgary area — either completed or in the process of being built — include the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir, a new Sunnyside pump station and the Bonnybrook flood barrier.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
The three projects will cost almost $1 billion with the city, province and federal government all paying a part.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
B.C. wildfire crews defend homes in Kelly Lake as Kiskatinaw River fire approaches
The BC Wildfire Service says the Kiskatinaw River wildfire is exhibiting aggressive fire behaviour on Thursday. The fire continues to move towards Kelly Lake and the service describes it as a 'high-risk situation.' Crews are activating sprinkler systems in Kelly Lake to defend homes and structures but the wildfire service says residents should not wait until they see smoke or fire to evacuate the area. Road access may become compromised quickly and conditions can change quickly. There are three evacuation orders and two evacuation alerts in place due to the Kiskatinaw River fire. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy As of Thursday morning, the fire is about four km from the Alberta border on the south flank and around one km from Kelly Lake to the north. Story continues below advertisement The fire has now grown past Kelly Lake Road and wildfire officials will be keeping a close eye on the winds, which are expected to gust up to 60 km/h and will remain elevated overnight. On Friday, an incoming weather system will generate very strong winds gusting up to 70 km/h, shifting from west south-westerly in the morning to west late in the afternoon, then veering northwest in the evening as a cold front arrives. The wildfire service says winds will ease slightly on Saturday before increasing on Sunday again. 'Extreme fire behaviour is anticipated under these conditions,' the service said in an update. Highway 52 East remains closed in both directions and drivers should check Drive BC for the most up-to-date information. In One Island Lake, northwest of Kelly Lake, crews are setting up structure protection equipment on properties as a precaution. The wildfire service says that while the fire continues to move east and current forecasts do not indicate it will head directly north, the presence of both southerly and northerly wind components means movement toward the northeast and southeast remains possible. Given the strong winds and potential for increased fire behaviour later this week, these proactive steps are being taken to stay ahead of possible changes in fire behaviour or direction.
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Swan Hills evacuees allowed home as nearby wildfire now being held
Residents of Swan Hills are allowed to go home, 10 days after a wildfire in the area forced the northern Alberta community's 1,300 residents to flee. The Edith Lake wildfire (SWF076) broke out on Sunday, May 25, about seven km north of the town. Residents were ordered to leave the next day and head south to Whitecourt. Alberta Wildfire says the fire is still about eight km north and estimated to be 16,883 hectares in size, but is now being held after being attacked by firefighters, heavy equipment and air supports. View image in full screen The Edith Lake wildfire (SWF076) broke out on Sunday, May 25, 2025 about seven kilometres north of Swan Hills, Alta. Alberta Wildfire The province now says given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past existing boundaries. Story continues below advertisement Late Thursday morning, the Town of Swan Hills said residents were allowed to go home but would remain on a four-hour evacuation alert, which means they needed to be ready to flee again if needed. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Please be aware that the wildfire danger still exists in our region, and you should be prepared in the event the situation worsens. Please be cautious and courteous during the re-enter process,' the town said in a statement on its website, where a re-entry information booklet was posted with information for residents. The town asked residents returning home to follow all directions given by law enforcement, town representatives, and any signage that may be posted. 2:01 Town of Swan Hills evacuates south due to wildfire Services such as the grocery store, restaurants, gas stations, health care centre, pharmacy, banks and other stores have reopened with regular hours, and the town said school will resume on Monday, June 9. Story continues below advertisement The town said the library will resume regular hours next week, but the swimming pool's schedule has yet to be determined. Alberta Wildfire said there is a lot of work ahead still to bring the wildfire under control. 'There are still hot spots within the interior that need to be extinguished. This will take time. The fire has burned deeply into the ground in some areas. Firefighters will continue working with the support of heavy equipment and helicopters to contain and put out remaining active areas,' the province said. Elsewhere in Alberta, there are 50 wildfires burning and 21 of those are out of control. Of all the fires that have broken out in Alberta in 2025, 64 per cent of them were caused by humans, 12 per cent by lightning and the rest are still under investigation.
Global News
5 hours ago
- Global News
Air quality watches, statements issued for a large portion of Ontario
With wildfire smoke looming over Ontario, Environment Canada has issued air quality watches and statements for a large portion of the province. The statements run from Sarnia and London north into Fort Albany and include Moosonee, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, and vary depending on location. London and Sarnia are expected to be dealing with wildfire smoke throughout Thursday. Conditions are expected to improve overnight but could continue into Friday, according to Environment Canada. Farther north, the conditions are expected to last for several days, with the agency warning that 'as smoke levels increase, health risks increase.' The watches, which are considered more serious, extend from Attawapiskat west into Saskatchewan as well as from Kirkland Lake north into the northeastern portion of Quebec. Story continues below advertisement 1:55 How researchers are detecting wildfires with high-tech tools Environment Canada warned that 'during heavy smoke conditions, everyone's health is at risk regardless of their age or health status.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In both cases, it says to limit time outdoors and consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor events or activities. 'You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough,' the federal agency said, before warning people to seek medical treatment in cases of emergency. Some of the smoke is coming from wildfires burning in northern Ontario, Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell said Tuesday as hazy skies were present over much of southern Ontario. He said the rain the southern portion of the province was seeing Wednesday night and Thursday would clear the air. Story continues below advertisement 'The air will temporarily clear out with rain Wednesday night into Thursday, but smoke will likely be back by the weekend. Smoke will be a frequent occurrence depending on which way the winds blow until a soaking rain falls out west, and that's still at least several days away,' Farnell said.
