Latest news with #PeteSteenaerts
Calgary Herald
7 hours ago
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
'Stay off the Bow River,' Fire Department says in safety advisory for Calgarians
The weekend's rainfall has left Calgary's Bow River unsafe for boating or swimming, the Calgary Fire Department said Sunday. Article content People should avoid any activity on the river, including boating, the department said while issuing a safety advisory for the river. Article content Article content Flooding over riverbanks is not expected; however, high flow rates may continue, making conditions on and near the river dangerous. There was still a 30 per cent chance of rain for Sunday afternoon and evening, while Saturday saw 48 mm of rain fall in the city. Article content Article content 'For the safety of river users and emergency responders, the Calgary Fire Department advises everyone to stay off the Bow River until safer conditions return and the boating advisory is lifted,' said Calgary Fire Deputy Chief Pete Steenaerts. Article content Article content 'We know that Calgarians love their rivers, yet we also know that when our waterways flow this high and fast, there's significant risk to anyone, regardless of your watercraft or skill level.' Article content Advisories to stay off the Bow River can occur due to debris, turbidity and flow rates greater than 280 cubic metres per second above the Elbow River confluence. Article content The department also noted that walkers, runners, cyclists and others using the pathways should be careful on low-lying areas, where the river can wash over paved trails. Children and pets should be kept away from the river, and everyone should be careful on riverbanks, which can be unstable due to erosion.
CTV News
8 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Boating advisory issued for Bow River: CFD
Marni Cain captured the Bow River on June 9, 2025. A boating advisory was issued for the river Sunday following heavy rain Saturday. Following a heavy Saturday rainfall, the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) issued a boating advisory for the Bow River on Sunday. At 10:21 a.m. the CFD issued the advisory, saying that the Bow has 'exceeded recommended safe flow rates for boating or swimming.' 'Effective immediately,' it added, 'the Calgary Fire Department advises against boating and all other water activities on the Bow River during this time.' The advisory came almost 12 years to the day that Calgary experienced the flood of 2013, when water poured over the banks of the Bow and the Elbow, but the city said in its release that that's not likely in 2025. 'Flooding over riverbanks is not expected,' the city said. 'However high flow rates may continue, making conditions on and near the river dangerous. 'Pathways near the river may continue to be affected,' the release added. The fire department said flow rates exceeded 280 cubic metres per second above the Elbow River confluence, along with turbidity and debris. 'We know that Calgarians love their rivers,' said CFD deputy fire chief Pete Steenaerts, in a release, 'yet we also know that when our waterways flow this high and fast, there's significant risk to anyone, regardless of your watercraft or skill level.' If you're near the river Sunday, you're advised to exercise caution around riverbanks, as fast-moving water can cause erosion and destabilization. Also: Warn children about the hazards of fast-moving water; Cyclists and pedestrians should watch for low-lying areas where the river can submerge pathways; and Keep pets away from fast-moving water. Saturday's forecast was for up to 80 millimetres of rain in the city. For more information, go here.
