🐾 Dog Dies After Emerald Lake Visit

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We didn’t exactly plan it, but today’s newsletter comes with an 80% chance of rain content. We tried to stay dry, but the stories just kept drizzling in. Turns out, when it rains, it headlines. We didn’t mean to rain on your inbox. Today’s edition? Absolutely drenched. We hate ourselves for all these puns. Please forgive us.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

BANFF JUST HAD ONE OF ITS WETTEST JULYS IN DECADES

What’s Happening? No, you’re not imagining it, summer 2025 has been a wet one. We compiled the data, and July’s rainfall in Banff surged to nearly 100 mm, clocking in at 150% of the 30-year average. 

Why It Mattered: After a bone-dry May and June, Banff got drenched, triggering mudslides near Mist Mountain and Redearth Creek that shut down highways and hiking areas during peak season. (More on that below).

How Wet Was It? Not quite record-breaking, but close. Outside of 2016, the only wetter July on record? 1927.

• 2021 was dry. Banff saw just 22 mm in May and a paltry 39 mm in July, among the lowest in recent memory.

• 2016 was the last summer to rival this one for sheer wetness, with all three months (May–July) coming in above average and July topping 130 mm.

• And then there’s 2013, the year most Bow Valley locals remember whether they want to or not. That June alone dumped over 160 mm of rain, causing catastrophic floods and reshaping riverbanks, trails, and emergency management plans.

What This Means For The Bow Valley: The big question now is whether this is just a statistical blip or part of a broader shift. Climate scientists are increasingly warning about precipitation volatility, with sharper swings between dry and wet periods. Banff’s climate record seems to support that.

Read more here if you want the full 30-year rainfall chart and our analysis.

YOU HELPED THEM LEARN TO SKI… NOW YOU’RE HELPING THEM SURVIVE THE HOUSING MARKET

(Because ski poles can’t help them climb a $650K down payment.)

You taught them to ski at Nakiska. You coached them through their first fender bender in the Safeway parking lot. You helped with rent when they moved to Calgary “just for the job market.”

Now they want to buy their first place… and the market’s tougher than a Ha Ling hike in February.

Enter: your home equity.

Michael & Cari Hossmann help Bow Valley parents use their HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit) to support their kids’ first home purchase—without derailing retirement or setting off family drama. Whether it’s for the down payment, co-signing, or just bridging a gap until their next big raise, they’ll show you how to structure it smartly and safely.

Over 55? They can even explore a reverse mortgage so you can unlock equity without tapping out your golden years.

Because raising kids doesn’t end, it just gets more creative.

👉 Book a free call with Michael & Cari

And find out how your house can help them buy theirs.

_{*Presented by Dominion Lending Centres Synergy Financial.}

THE DIGEST

• 🐾 Emerald Lake Deemed Safe After Dog’s Death. After a dog died following a visit to Emerald Lake, concerns were raised about blue-green algae—a toxic organism that can be fatal to animals and humans. Parks Canada tested the water and found toxin levels well below safety limits. No algae bloom was detected, and the lake’s cold, low-nutrient conditions make such outbreaks unlikely. Recreation at the lake remains safe. Read the test results for yourself.

• 🚴🏻‍♀️ Locals Weigh In: Bikes or More Parking? After Alberta’s push to curb city bike lanes, we asked locals if Banff and Canmore should prioritize cars or active transportation. Nearly 79% chose bikes, walking, and transit. Many praised the trail network and wanted more investment, but others warned about losing car lanes, winter usability, and access for seniors. Read all community comments. 

• 💦 Ponding Hits Familiar Canmore Spots. Heavy rain over the long weekend flooded Canmore’s usual suspects, like the lot outside Canmore Lube & Muffler and 17th & 8th. Locals waded barefoot, businesses closed, and water kept coming back. With fingers pointed at both the town and landlords, one thing’s clear: The puddles are winning. Full story and pictures.

• 🐺 Unusually Bold Wolf Sparks Concern in Kananaskis. A wolf spotted regularly in Kananaskis since spring is showing little fear of humans, prompting Alberta Parks to intervene. Officials are using noise and paintballs to discourage the behavior. Relocation and rehab are off the table, so the goal is to change its habits before it becomes a safety issue.

• 🚁 BC Hiker Rescued After 4 Days Alone. This didn’t happen in the Bow Valley, but it’s a solid reminder for anyone venturing into the backcountry. A man in his 70s was rescued near Tumbler Ridge, a remote part of northeastern BC, after getting separated on the 1,100 km Great Divide Trail, which spans Alberta and BC. Despite being well-prepared and in good spirits, it took four days, and the help of three SAR teams plus a heli-skiing crew, to find him. 

Marketing That Slaps (In a Good Way)

Like a fresh baguette to the face…our ads get noticed.

They’re local, loud, and lovingly crafted to convert.

We don’t do boring banners or beige print.

We write clever mini-stories that make 15,000+ locals engage.

➡️ Fill out the form and feel the slap.

INSIDE THE MUDSLIDE CLEANUP ON HIGHWAY 40

What’s Happening? Crews are still hard at work clearing up after a mudslide slammed Highway 40 near the Mist Mountain trailhead on August 2.

Behind the Barricades. We visited the site on August 4 and spoke with workers on the ground (see our pics here). The slide came down a creek bed just south of the Mist Mountain trail and dumped a 5-foot-high pile of debris across the highway. That’s all been removed now, but engineers are now dealing with 2–3 additional pools of water building up further upslope. Translation: the risk of another slide is still very real, especially with more precip in the forecast.

What Happens Next. Two infrastructure solutions are on the table: either a new bridge or a supersized culvert (think massive pipe) that’ll allow water and debris to flow safely under the highway. Smaller pipes already exist there, but crews say they were no match for the volume of runoff in this event. Once the area is deemed stable and a construction plan is in place, they’ll reopen the highway to alternating single-lane traffic, likely while the new drainage system is being built.

Can You Still Hike? Yes, just not there. The closure is located right before the Lipsett Mountain and Mist Mountain parking lot, so those areas are off-limits. But all trails north of the slide zone remain open, including Elbow Lake, Pocaterra, and Arethusa Cirque. 

Meanwhile, in Jasper. One of the park’s most popular hikes is off-limits. The Sulphur Skyline Trail near Miette Hot Springs has been closed due to flooding and mudslides.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• $15 Pizza Special. There are two more days this week (Wednesday and Thursday) to enjoy happy hour pizzas at Murrietta’s. But there’s more to Murrieta’s than just pizza. Lamb Meatballs for $10, Corn Chowder for $8, and Fried Brussel Sprouts for $9. Fill up before dinner, we dare you. 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Murrieta’s, Canmore.*

• Mountain Bike Ride. Join a group ride on Canmore’s mountain bike trails, geared toward intermediate to advanced riders, followed by a pint at Canmore Brewing Company. 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, starting and ending at 1460 Railway Ave.*

Thursday

• Canmore Mountain Market. Shop fresh produce, baked goods, coffee, crafts, and artisan-made goods from across the region. 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore (700 Railway Ave). Free.

• DIY Slime Workshop. Register your kids for this do-it-yourself slime-making workshop where the staff will take the kids outside to make an (obviously) sticky mess and have fun while doing it. Ages 10-13. 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Banff Library. Free.

• Packraft Film Festival. From whitewater thrills to peaceful Sunday floats with grandma, the International Packraft Film Festival showcases the incredible ways packrafters explore the world. (A packraft is a lightweight inflatable boat that fits in your backpack.) Two 50-minute sets of short films with an intermission. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $15.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎭 Not Your Typical Anne. If you think you know Anne of Green Gables, think again. OH, ANNE! is a brand-new musical packed with East Coast music, lightning-fast characters, and full-body laughs. Four actors, one unforgettable night out. On now at Carter-Ryan Theatre, every day except Mondays. 15% off with code BOWVALLEYINSIDER. Get tickets here.*

• ✨ Saturday-Only Pass for Lucent Festival. Lucent is a one-of-a-kind wellness and music festival set in the foothills near Exshaw. Can’t do the full weekend? Join Saturday for the heart of it all: forest yoga, river dips, live music, workshops, and a vibrant local market. Family-friendly and no camping required. Just one day to move, connect, and reset. August 9 at Star 6 Ranch. Get your tickets now.*

• ☕ Canmore’s Best-Kept Café Patio? Open daily from 9-5 in the day lodge at the Canmore Nordic Centre, it’s the perfect location for those driving to Spray Lakes or those who need to purchase their Kananaskis Pass. Serving locally roasted Eclipse Coffee, meals to eat-in or take out, and locally brewed craft beer and spirits to enjoy on the patio. This is quickly becoming one of our favorite spots in Canmore!*

• 🍽️ Alberta on the Plate at The Boss. From August 8–17, The Boss Kitchen & Bar is serving up a showstopper: fall-off-the-bone bison short rib from Noble, paired with roasted Little Potato Company potatoes, silky parsnip purée, and fresh microgreens. Add a drink pairing and you’ve got one seriously elevated local feast. Only during Alberta on the Plate.*

• 🖼️ Dare to Ride by Amery Sandford. This isn’t just an art show. It’s a full-circle homecoming. Amery Sandford’s latest work captures the wild charm of mountain life, blending punk roots, screenprints, and Bow Valley nostalgia into a vibrant, personal exhibit. From ski lifts with dogs to recycled gig posters, it’s a love letter to place and identity. Free. Only until August 20 at artsPlace.*

• 🏠 Canmore Community Housing Update. Things are moving along at 205 Stewart Creek Rise. The South Building is being finished, cabinets are going into the North Building, and exterior siding is underway. This 18-unit Vital Homes project is getting close to completion, with new homeowners set to move in soon. Stay tuned.

• 🎙️ AmpFest Origin Story. Last month, artsPlace hosted the fourth edition of Canmore’s Alternative, Metal, and Punk festival. But how did a mountain town become a hub for heavy music? It all started with artsPlace manager Jeremy looking for a place for his son’s band to play. Read the full story behind AmpFest’s rise.

CIVIC NEWS

• Grant-Funded Roof Rebates Coming. The Town of Canmore has secured $200K in wildfire prevention grants, including $100K to launch a roof replacement rebate for homeowners. Residents with FireSmart assessments recommending new roofing may qualify for up to $5K in support. Program launches 2026.

• Wolf Street Housing Info Session. The Town of Banff is moving ahead with 90 new permanently below-market homes. Get the full details at the in-person info session on August 12 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Banff Scout Hall.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, August 6th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Wine Wednesday with Bunny Hops. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, August 7th, 2025, 4:00 PM: Steph O'Dette. Location: The Bison, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, August 7th, 2025, 8:00 PM: Andrew Staygold. Location: Rose and Crown, Canmore. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Riders Bound for Canada Games. Six local cyclists are set to represent Alberta at the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s from August 7–24. Wishing them fast legs, smooth racing, and a great time out east. Athletes: Larix Hallett, Thomas Rilett, Quinten Macklem, Cor Sinke, Ashton Thomson, Kahlen Anderson.

• Dalia Wins Gold at Road Race Provincials. Canmore’s Dalia from Rundle Mountain Cycling took first place at the Alberta Road Race Provincials, kicking off the Tour de Bowness weekend with a win.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, same time, same place! 

Heads Up: We sometimes feature paid promotion from local businesses and organizations we trust. When you see a little asterisk (*), that means it’s a sponsored post. We only work with partners we think our readers will actually care about.