Johnston Canyon Reopens As Suspected Drowning Now Presumed Fatal, Police Say

A 25-year-old man is presumed to have drowned at Johnston Canyon, police say, after witnesses saw him enter the water.

Search efforts have been exhausted and recovery operations suspended following the May 1 incident near the Lower Falls.

The RCMP confirmed a suspected fatality following the incident, where a search involving Parks Canada was carried out before recovery operations were suspended due to hazardous conditions.

“We had witnesses who saw the person enter the pool, go beneath the surface, and fail to resurface,” said Sgt. Mike Buxton-Carr, Banff RCMP detachment commander. “The RCMP are conducting a missing persons investigation with the presumption that the person has died by drowning,” he said.

Parks Canada said its visitor safety specialists, supported by law enforcement and partner agencies, conducted an extensive search of the area, including the upper and lower pools at the Lower Falls. Police said the search also extended downstream. Despite those efforts, the individual has not been located.

“Parks Canada extends sincere condolences to the individual’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the agency said in a statement.

Due to ongoing hazardous water conditions, Parks Canada said all available search efforts have been exhausted and recovery operations suspended.

“Due to ongoing hazardous water conditions, all available search efforts have been exhausted at this time, and recovery operations have been suspended,” that organization said. 

The Johnston Canyon Trail and day-use area, which were closed May 2 to support the response, reopened May 4 after Parks Canada, with RCMP support, determined public access would not interfere with the investigation.

“It is a public area, and having that reopened does not affect our investigation,” Buxton-Carr said.

Police also confirmed reports that the individual entered the water intentionally.

“We are aware of how the person entered the water. It is accurate, the stories that are out there about the person jumping in,” Buxton-Carr said.

The route to the Lower Falls within Johnston Canyon follows a series of narrow catwalks anchored to the canyon walls, leading to a viewing bridge and tunnel beside the waterfall. At the site, water plunges into a narrow gorge with steep rock walls and fast-moving current, conditions that can become more hazardous during spring runoff when water levels are higher.

Buxton-Carr said the terrain around the pools is difficult to access and can be dangerous, particularly in moving water.

“The upper and lower pools, which are surrounded by cliffs, are fairly hazardous to access,” he said.

He added that while he was not aware of similar incidents occurring frequently at the site, the risks associated with moving water remain significant.

“Moving water is hazardous and please exercise extreme caution,” he said.

The investigation remains ongoing, and further updates from the RCMP will be provided as they become available.