Calgary fire advises against boating on the Bow
Posted Jul 14, 2012 10:10 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Calgary Fire Department is reinstating the boating advisory for the Bow River because of an increase in water being released from a dam west of Calgary and a change in the weather forecast for the weekend.
All Calgarians are advised against boating activities or placing any type of watercraft on the Bow River until further notice.
Battalion Chief Ernie Molineaux tells 660News “a combination of forecasted rainfall in the mountain areas with continued snow pack melting and forecasted local rainfall may result in rapid flow and increased debris in the water which will be hazardous to anyone on the river.”
CFD is also issuing an additional caution that the water levels and flow rates may increase the hydraulics on the class 2 and 3 rapids at Harvie Passage. This means that an increased level of experience and skill is required by those attempting to clear the rapids.
The Calgary Fire Department is asking that river users know the risks and use extreme caution. Conditions on the river can change quickly and all users should be prepared for a variety of conditions and should always be wearing a life jacket or PFD on the water and have the required safety equipment on board.
Officials also advise Calgarians to stay off of river banks as increased water flow can cause the banks to become unstable and collapse.
