Bow Valley Water Levels Stabilizing, But Officials Still Urging Caution

Rain across the Bow Valley is expected to taper off this week, but officials continue to monitor high groundwater levels, campground closures and other flood-related impacts as mountain snowmelt continues.

The Town of Canmore said Tuesday that rain is expected to taper off moving into Wednesday. Officials said local creeks could continue carrying significant runoff over the coming days as newly fallen mountain snow begins to melt.

"A high streamflow advisory remains in effect for the Bow River and steep creeks. Ground water levels remain high," the Town said in its June 2 update.

One of the most visible impacts of the storm occurred at Three Sisters Campground in Bow Valley Provincial Park, where Alberta Parks temporarily closed the site after the Bow River overflowed its banks. The closure took effect May 31. Alberta Parks said two camping reservations were affected and relocated to another nearby campground, and no evacuations were required. Infrastructure and facilities at the campground are being assessed for potential flood damage.

High groundwater levels have also emerged across Canmore, an issue separate from flooding along the Bow River. Canmore Director of Emergency Management Caitlin Miller said groundwater ponding has been observed in parts of town.

"A lot of the water that we're seeing through town is actually from groundwater and the water table is quite high," she said.

Miller encouraged residents to monitor basements and ensure sump pumps are functioning properly while groundwater levels remain elevated. Residents have also reported groundwater-related flooding in some low-lying areas, including Spring Creek, although the Town has not identified which neighbourhoods are experiencing the most significant impacts.

Water from the Bow River also flooded portions of Canmore's pathway network over the weekend, forcing temporary closures, including sections near the Bow River pedestrian bridge. Despite the rise in groundwater levels and river flows, Miller said conditions have remained stable.

The storm's impacts have also expanded beyond the Bow Valley into Kootenay National Park.

Parks Canada said some low-lying areas in Kootenay National Park are experiencing mild flooding as rainfall and snowmelt continue to raise water levels in the Kootenay River and surrounding waterways. The agency has closed the Vermilion Crossing day-use area, Dog Lake Bridge and Marble Canyon trail and day-use facilities, and warned that additional temporary closures may be implemented if conditions worsen. Crews have also been using heavy equipment to remove logs and debris from beneath bridges to reduce the risk of flooding and log jams.

Parks Canada continues to warn visitors to avoid several popular trails near Lake Louise, including Lake Agnes, the Beehive trails and Plain of the Six Glaciers, because warm temperatures and rain have increased avalanche danger at higher elevations where significant snow remains.

Miller said snowfall at higher elevations may have helped reduce runoff during the storm by temporarily storing moisture that would otherwise have flowed directly into local waterways.

"The snow that fell, that actually really helps and slows things down," Miller said.

She added that weather modelling suggested the most intense precipitation occurred Monday morning.

"This morning was the most intense precipitation that we would get. So I think that we're going through the worst of it right now," Miller said.