More Flood Barriers Deployed Across Bow Valley

Rising water has flooded pathways in Canmore, forced additional trail closures in Banff National Park and prompted flood-response preparations across the Bow Valley as heavy rain falls on an already swollen river system.

Environment Canada issued a Rainfall Warning for the Canmore area this weekend, forecasting up to 100 millimetres of rain through Wednesday morning. Banff National Park remained under a Special Weather Statement Sunday, with up to 60 millimetres of rain and as much as 20 centimetres of snow possible at higher elevations.

The impacts come days after officials warned that warm temperatures and rapid snowmelt were pushing rivers and creeks higher across the region. Since then, water has begun covering pathways in Canmore, additional trail closures have been announced in Banff National Park and rainfall warnings have been issued for parts of the region.

In Canmore, municipal crews closed portions of low-lying pathways after rising water from the Bow River began covering sections of the trail network. The Town has also warned residents and visitors to stay away from steep creeks in the area after a High Streamflow Advisory was issued for those waterways.

"Do not, under any circumstance, jump into the Bow River or play in water flowing in the steep creeks," the Town said. "You might feel confident in your abilities, but now is not the time to test the strength of mother nature, you risk your own life as well as the lives of first responders."

Parks Canada said rising water is affecting some low-lying areas and could lead to temporary trail and day-use area closures.

The agency has added Marsh Loop and the lower boardwalk at Cave and Basin to areas already closed because of high water, including the Fenland area and portions of the Pipestone River corridor near Lake Louise.

The Town of Banff has also closed additional low-lying trail sections, riverside benches, and the Adventure Playground in Sundance Park, which became surrounded by overland flooding from the Bow River.

Parks Canada said it is actively preparing response measures, including sandbagging and temporary flood barriers, if conditions worsen.

In Banff, municipal crews have also deployed Tiger Dam flood barriers, large water-filled portable flood walls designed to help hold back rising water, near the Nancy Pauw Pedestrian Bridge and sandbagged the historic Rundle Cabin in Sundance Park as precautionary measures.

The Alberta River Forecast Centre maintained a High Streamflow Advisory for the Bow River from upstream of Banff to Ghost Reservoir through the weekend, saying snowmelt continues to push water levels higher.

Flood watches also remain in effect near Lake Louise for both the Bow River and Pipestone River, where low-lying trails and picnic areas near the Lake Louise Visitor Centre have already been affected by rising water.

The Town of Banff reported Sunday afternoon that water levels had not risen significantly overnight, noting that cloud cover and the delayed arrival of rain may have slowed snowmelt. Officials said they still do not have a forecast for when the Bow River is expected to peak.

Environment Canada warned that water could pool on roads and in low-lying areas and urged motorists not to drive through flooded roadways.

Parks Canada also warned visitors to avoid several popular Lake Louise-area trails, including Lake Agnes, the Beehive trails and Plain of the Six Glaciers, because heat and rain are increasing avalanche risk.