Heavy rain expected for Calgary to start the week

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the City of Calgary.

According to the weather authority, significant rainfall – 75 to 100 mm – is expected by Wednesday morning.

The showers are slated to begin late Sunday evening, and that is expected to turn into heavy rain on Monday.

That should peter out to lighter showers into Tuesday.

Environment Canada predicts Kananaskis, west of Calgary, will receive the most rain.

Water levels have been lowered at upstream reservoirs on the Bow River and Glenmore reservoir to make room for additional flood waters.

“There’s a number of steps we take across the city in preparation for an event like this,” said Francois Bouchart, the director of Water Resources Planning and Capital Properties Investments for the City of Calgary. “As a result, we’ve closed the Glenmore Reservoir for activities and since the beginning of (Sunday) we’ve been lowering the levels within the reservoir with a target of bringing that water level down to three-and-a-half metres, down below the crest.

“At the reservoir with that water level, we’ll be able to route the flow coming down the Elbow and reduce and eliminate the risk of flooding downstream with the dam. In addition to that, we are mobilizing and securing the contractors we’ve secured, we’re mobilizing a number of pumps across the river at key locations based on our forecast.

“And these pumps will allow us to ensure that once the gates to the stormwater outfalls are either closed, that if there is rain within the city, we are able to transfer that water that is being collected by the stormwater system into the river when those gates are closed.”

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The City of Calgary released a statement earlier Sunday mentioning there is a boating advisory for the Elbow River due to higher expected flow rates based on the current forecast.

Calgarians are advised against boating and all other watercraft activities on the Elbow River during this time.

The city says no flooding over riverbanks is expected but flow rates will increase, making conditions on and near the river dangerous.

“In terms of those proactive actions Calgarians can take including making sure there are troughs and extensions put in place in preparation for the rainfall that’s going to happen, not only in the eastern slopes but also in Calgary itself,” said Bouchart.

Throughout the year, Calgary experiences the most precipitation in June with an average of 92 to 94 mm.

Bouchart also added that as the seasons change, snowmelt has an effect on rainfall levels.

“In terms of snowmelt when you have rain on snow we do anticipate if there is a transition between rainfall and snowfall it is likely to occur at the very high elevation, so we anticipate we will have some snowmelt that will be added to the flows,” he said.

Members of the Calgary fire department aquatics team will be keeping an eye on the rivers while the advisory is in place.

–With files from Camae Marayag and Adeline Gladu