Update: Canmore Flood Watch Ends, But Kananaskis Remains Under Local Emergency

Article Updated as of 7:29 AM, June 29, 2026:

Flood conditions began improving Monday afternoon as the Town of Canmore rescinded its flood watch for steep creeks, but officials say the situation is not yet back to normal.

A high streamflow advisory remains in effect, and the Town continues to urge everyone to stay away from all creeks, warning that embankments and pathways remain unstable after nearly 24 hours of heavy rainfall.

"Now is not the time to look at water levels," the Town said in its latest update. "Respect all road and pathway closures. They are there for your safety."

Most of the emergency measures introduced overnight have now been lifted. The evacuation alerts issued for neighbourhoods in southeast Canmore have been cancelled, and there are currently no active emergency alerts in effect.

However, one significant road closure remains. Palliser Trail is still closed to all traffic between Cross Zee Ranch and the Highway 1A interchange at Harvie Heights. Eastbound traffic on Palliser Trail east of Cross Zee Ranch remains open, but westbound travel beyond Cross Zee Ranch is prohibited.

While conditions have improved in Canmore, transportation disruptions continue across Kananaskis.

The Kananaskis Improvement District remains under a State of Local Emergency as crews respond to widespread flooding, landslides and road damage. Officials continue to discourage non-essential travel into the area while emergency repairs are underway.

Highway 40 has sustained multiple washouts and landslides, with at least four separate closures affecting different sections of the corridor. The closures include washouts south of Kananaskis Village, a damaged bridge at Mount Allan Drive, a washout where Highway 742 meets Highway 40, and a landslide between Highway 940 and Highway 68.

Officials have also begun reopening limited routes for people stranded by the closures.

Officials have also begun reopening limited routes for people affected by the closures. Campers and visitors at Mount Kidd are now able to leave the area by travelling south on Highway 40 over Highwood Pass. Meanwhile, visitors north of the Evan-Thomas Bridge can exit Kananaskis toward Highway 1. However, Highway 40 remains closed to incoming traffic, and visitors south of the Evan-Thomas Bridge who cannot safely leave are being asked to shelter overnight. William Watson Lodge and the Peter Lougheed Discovery Centre remain available as temporary shelters.

Several major roads and recreation areas across Kananaskis also remain closed, including sections of the Smith-Dorrien Trail (Highway 742), Powderface Trail and Elbow Falls Day Use Area.

Officials say emergency crews continue to monitor conditions and will reopen roads only when they can do so safely.

Article Updated as of 6:32 AM, June 29, 2026:

The Town of Canmore expanded its emergency response early Monday morning, adding more neighbourhoods to evacuation alerts and closing additional roads as heavy rainfall continued to swell creeks across the community.

In an updated emergency alert issued at 1:44 a.m., the town said a flood watch remains in effect for every steep creek in Canmore, including Cougar Creek, Stoneworks Creek and Three Sisters Creek.

"Conditions are rapidly changing, and flowing water and debris pose a serious threat to human safety and infrastructure," the town said.

Officials continue to urge everyone in Canmore to stay away from all creeks, warning that embankments and pathways are unsafe.

"Now is not the time to look at water levels," the alert states. "Please stay home."

Evacuation Alert Area Expanded

The town has expanded evacuation alerts beyond the initial Palliser Trail area announced Sunday evening.

Residents in the following areas are now under an evacuation alert and should be prepared to leave immediately if an evacuation order is issued:

• Palliser Trail, including Hector, Blakiston, Peak Estates and 100 Palliser Lane

• Alpine Club

• Bow Valley Riders Association

• 140, 149 and 150 Stone Creek Road

• Eagle Landing

• Residents and visitors east of Lincoln Park up to and including Alpine Helicopters

The alerts remain precautionary, meaning residents are not being asked to leave at this time. However, officials are advising those in affected areas to prepare enough belongings to be away from home for at least 72 hours, including medications, important documents and supplies for pets.

Additional Road Closures

Road closures have also expanded overnight.

Palliser Trail remains closed from just west of Cross Zee Ranch to the Highway 1A interchange at Harvie Heights, with all westbound traffic prohibited beyond Cross Zee Ranch.

The Town has also closed Bow Valley Trail between Alpine Helicopters and Exit 91 to the Trans-Canada Highway. Exit 91 itself has also been closed to traffic.

In a separate update, Highway 1A between Elk Run Boulevard near the RCMP detachment and Lincoln Park, across from Wolfe Chevrolet, has also been closed.

Officials warned that additional roads and pathways could close with little notice as conditions continue to evolve.

Highway 40 Hit by Second Mudslide

Heavy rainfall is also continuing to impact transportation throughout Kananaskis.

After a mudslide closed Highway 40 between Little Highwood Pass and Elbow Lake Sunday evening, Alberta 511 reported a second closure early Monday morning.

The new closure is located farther south between the Kananaskis Country Golf Course and Highway 940, where another mudslide has forced Highway 40 to close in both directions until further notice.

The two closures now leave separate sections of Highway 40 impassable.

Campers Reportedly Stranded

The deteriorating road conditions are also affecting access to Mount Kidd RV Park.

Multiple posts in local Facebook groups indicate campers staying at the park are unable to leave after road closures isolated the area.

To the south, Highway 40 is closed because of the newly reported mudslide. To the north, access via the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Road remains blocked by the rockslide on the Canmore Hill that has kept the highway closed since June 1.

Bow Valley Insider has not independently confirmed the number of people affected, but multiple social media posts indicate travellers are currently unable to drive out of the area.

The Town of Canmore said emergency information will continue to be updated as conditions change and urged residents to respect all road closures and evacuation notices.

Article Updated as of 10:45 PM, June 28, 2026:

Heavy rainfall has prompted officials to escalate emergency measures across the Bow Valley, with the Town of Canmore issuing an evacuation alert Sunday night for several properties along Palliser Trail as water levels continue rising in local creeks.

The evacuation alert, issued through Voyent Alert at 9:49 p.m., applies to residents on Palliser Trail, including Blakiston, Peak Estates, 100 Palliser Lane, the Alpine Club, and the Bow Valley Riders Association.

Officials stressed that an evacuation order has not been issued, but residents should be prepared to leave immediately if conditions worsen.

Residents in the affected area are being asked to pack enough personal belongings to be away from home for at least 72 hours, including medications, important documents and supplies for pets. The Town said transportation assistance will be available for anyone unable to evacuate on their own if an evacuation order becomes necessary.

The alert came hours after Canmore expanded its existing high streamflow advisory to include the Bow River.

Late Sunday evening, the town further escalated its response by issuing a flood watch for every steep creek in the Canmore area, including Cougar Creek, Stoneworks Creek, Three Sisters Creek and other mountain drainages.

"Conditions are rapidly changing, and flowing water and debris pose a serious threat to human safety and infrastructure," the Town said in its emergency alert.

Officials warned residents to stay away from all creeks, saying embankments and pathways may be unstable and unsafe.

"Now is not the time to look at water levels," the alert stated. "Please stay home."

The town also announced the closure of Palliser Trail between Cross Zee Ranch and the Highway 1A interchange at Harvie Heights. Westbound traffic is prohibited beyond Cross Zee Ranch, although eastbound access remains open.

Municipal officials warned that additional roads and pathways could close with little notice and urged residents to respect all barricades and detours.

Earlier Sunday, Canmore advised residents to avoid flooded roadways and the Bow River as heavy rainfall moved through the region. Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast between 50 and 100 millimetres of rain across parts of the eastern slopes, with the heaviest precipitation expected Sunday night before easing Monday.

The Alberta River Forecast Centre also expanded its high streamflow advisory Sunday afternoon to include tributaries feeding the Bow River upstream of Cochrane, while maintaining advisories for the Bow River through Banff and Canmore.

In Banff, officials continue to say the advisory remains precautionary, noting no major flooding impacts are currently forecast. No riverside trails had been closed as of Sunday evening, although some low-lying sections could be affected if river levels continue to rise.

The deteriorating conditions have also affected travel elsewhere in the region.

Alberta 511 reported Highway 40 in Kananaskis was closed in both directions Sunday evening between Little Highwood Pass and Elbow Lake Trail following a mudslide that washed out part of the roadway. The closure took effect around 8:40 p.m. and will remain in place until further notice, although access to Highway 40 remains available from either side of the closure.

The Town of Canmore said updated emergency information will continue to be posted as conditions evolve.