Today marks the start of Calgary’s high river flow season, the two months each year when river floods are most likely to occur. The good news is, The City’s annual flood preparations are complete and we’re now on duty 24/7 to monitor river conditions, weather forecasts and the melting mountain snowpack.
This year’s mountain snowpack is average to slightly below average. When that snowpack melts it increases the flow in the river, but we don’t usually see overbank flooding from snowmelt alone. As such, Calgary’s chance of flooding this year is considered normal.
Should the outlook change, we’re ready to respond to keep Calgarians safe and to protect critical infrastructure, vital community services, the environment and our economy.
Although drought may have been more top-of-mind for Calgarians this past year, River Engineering Leader Sandy Davis explains that flooding can happen anytime, even during the dryest of years. “Heavy rainfall upstream of Calgary is the most significant contributor to flooding events in our city. And with our proximity to the mountains, it’s not uncommon for us to experience rapid and unpredictable weather swings, including intense storms during dry years. We do need rain, just not all at once.”
Flooding and drought are two of Calgary’s top climate risks that will be intensified by climate change in the future. Building resiliency to both flood and drought is a high priority for our city, as climate modelling indicates that Calgary will experience more severe and frequent weather events.
Davis reminds Calgarians that if your property could be at risk of flooding, there are a few steps you can take to be ready for flood season. Here are her top three recommendations:
- Understand. Use our online interactive flood maps to know your home and community’s risk.
- Prepare. Take steps to reduce flood damage, keep your loved ones safe and be prepared if you need to evacuate quickly.
- Stay informed. River conditions can change quickly and with little warning. Visit calgary.ca/floodinfo for a quick snapshot of daily river conditions, sign up for alerts to stay informed and pay attention to any boating advisories issued by The City.
To help Calgarians be prepared, The City also has flood preparation tools and resources available calgary.ca/floodInfo.
