Flooding in and around Banff as Bow River water levels rise

A flood watch has been issued by the province for the Bow River near Lake Louise as water levels rise from Banff to the Ghost Reservoir.

Warm temperatures melting deep snowpack are pushing up the Bow River’s water levels out near Banff.

As a result, low-lying pathways along the river in the area are flooding, and the Town of Banff issued a high streamflow advisory on Thursday afternoon.

If the warm weather keeps up, the town expects water levels to rise another 30 centimetres through Friday.

On social media, the town advised people to “stay away from all flooded areas.”

“Muddy water prevents visibility and can hide open sewers, sinkholes and dangerous debris. Fast-moving water and submerged debris are dangerous. Stay off the river,” the town said on Facebook.

“Riverbanks will be slippery. Keep back from the water’s edge, especially children and pets.”

The town said it’s monitoring the situation and emergency crews are ready to respond if needed.

Thursday’s advisory covers from upstream of Banff downstream to the Ghost Reservoir.

RCMP in Lake Louise and Parks Canada issued a similar warning Thursday afternoon.

On Facebook, one person responded to the town’s warning, saying the water’s power is “to be respected.”

“It was amazing how quick the water came up last night down by the golf course,” said Michael Geisler.

“Literally saw and heard log jams breaking away.”

Also on social media, the Town of Canmore spoke to the high streamflow advisory.

It encouraged “extreme caution” and encouraged people to “stay off embankments.”

“What may appear as sturdy ground may be undercut by water underneath,” the town said on Facebook.

“If you are near the Bow River with anyone, but especially children and pets, be aware that stream flows like we are experiencing are fast-moving and dangerous; people or pets can be easily pulled into water and downstream.

“Watercraft use on the Bow River is NOT recommended at this time.”

The province says flood watches remain in place for the Bow River near Lake Louise and for the Pipestone River near Lake Louise.

Those were renewed on Thursday morning.

The Bow River flood watch says there’s been an increase in debris in the water.

The Pipestone River flood watch says some lower-lying areas have been impacted.

CTV News Calgary’s Danielle Savoni said there is “a big weather-maker heading in for the weekend.”

“While we want rain after a dry, hot stretch, this will be too much rain too fast in some areas of southern Alberta and will lead to some localized flooding,” Savoni said.

“Fifty to 90 millimetres of rain is likely in many communities in southern Alberta (Calgary looking at closer to the 50 mm), mainly Saturday night through Monday.

“The bullseye area for rain this weekend looks to be the southwest corner of the province, where 90-plus mm is likely.”

Savoni said there are “also thunderstorms possible, which could lead to some localized areas with enhanced amounts.”