River flooding in Calgary

The 2025 high river flow season has concluded

Current outlook

Current outlook

Our regular river condition updates will resume here in May 2026.

High-flow season for Calgary’s rivers is mid-May to mid-July every year. This is when there is the greatest risk of river flooding.

Although the 2025 river flood season has ended, you can be assured that we monitor conditions year-round, as there can be risk of drought or flooding outside of this period. It is normal for rain and thunderstorms to cause moderate river levels changes through the summer and fall.

As we continuously monitor conditions, we are always ready to respond if we need to take action. At any time of year, if there is information you need to know, we may communicate the latest updates with you on this webpage, through our Calgary Rivers e-newsletter, and/or through the local media.

Summary of the 2025 high flow season:

  • Snowpack was generally lower and melted earlier than average.
  • Precipitation was at or below the seasonal average, with the highest amounts in the Upper Elbow and Ghost catchments.
  • Flows recorded in Calgary were generally below average but were brought back into the normal range due to the precipitation event on June 19.
  • The June 19th event resulted in up to 120 mm of precipitation, resulting in the pro-active lowering of Glenmore and Ghost Reservoirs, and flows remained in normal ranges.

How we’re responding

How we’re responding

  • No impacts at this time.
  • We’re continuing to monitor river conditions.
  • In preparation for flood season each year, The City completes exercises and testing of infrastructure like river outfalls, lift stations and temporary barrier deployments.

What you can do

What you can do

Stay safe near rivers

When the rivers and creeks rise in Calgary, stay away from the banks, including children and pets, as high flows can cause bank erosion and instability. Before going out on the river (rafting, fishing, kayaking), check calgary.ca/watersafety. If there is a boating advisory, stay off the river for your safety.

Direct rainwater away from your home

Eavestroughs and extensions should drain at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) away from your and your neighbours home and onto a landscaped area so the water can soak into the ground.

Help us keep an eye on storm drains

During intense rainfalls, storm drains can be temporarily overwhelmed and it may take some time for water to drain. In some areas of the city, we’ve installed a device in the storm drains to manage how fast water flows into the pipes from the storm drain that helps prevent the system from becoming overwhelmed with stormwater, avoiding water backups into basements or flooding into houses, garages and businesses.

If you see water pooling around storm drains and it hasn’t drained within 90 mins, take a photo and submit it via the 311 app or online request. This will help City crews respond on a priority basis. If safety is a concern or water is entering a building, contact 311 immediately.

Stay informed

Stay informed

Weather and river conditions in Calgary can change quickly and without notice.

High river flow season is May 15 - July 15

Looking for updates? Sign up for our Calgary Rivers e-newsletter to get the latest news about Calgary's watershed, including river conditions, tips and resources during high river flow season. 

Sign up for our e-newsletter

Flood resources

We can’t prevent flooding entirely, and it can happen quickly with little or no warning. Protecting our community and citizens from flooding is a shared responsibility – we all have a role to play.

  • View flood maps

    Know your flood risk. Search for your property on our flood mapping tool to see if you are at risk for flooding.

  • Prepare for flooding

    Take steps to reduce flood damage to your home and ensure your family knows what to do if a flood happens. Find preparation resources on this page, including guides in Traditional and Simplified Chinese.

  • Stay informed

    Sign up for e-mail alerts and find a list of flood notification resources, including City of Calgary emergency notices.

Did you know?

Flooding can occur even during dry conditions.

Although Calgary has a dry climate, flooding is always possible. With our proximity to the mountains, we can experience unpredictable swings in the weather, from heavy rains leading to floods, to many weeks of dry temperatures and little rain leading to droughts.

Learn more about how we monitor and respond to the conditions and how you can help:

Flood mitigation projects

Calgary is better prepared today for flood events like the one in 2013. We’ve taken steps to reduce Calgary’s exposure to flood damage that have reduced our flood risk by 70 per cent as of 2025.

Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir

Calgary’s Elbow River communities are now protected from 2013-sized floods, thanks to the new Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) located along the Elbow River, upstream of Calgary. The ‘dry' reservoir will only be filled during floods, and will work together with the Glenmore Reservoir to significantly increase the overall floodwater storage capacity on the Elbow River.

Learn more about our short and long-term actions

West Eau Claire Flood Barrier

Heritage Drive Flood Barrier

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