Banff downgrades warning for Bow River to flood watch
Posted Jun 13, 2022 10:57 am.
Last Updated Jun 14, 2022 9:29 am.
A flood warning issued for the Bow River at Banff, Canmore, and Exshaw due to heavy rain has been downgraded.
According to the Town of Banff, the move to flood watch was made to reflect “lower than forecast rainfall for the region.”
Update: The Flood Warning for the Bow River in Banff issued by Alberta Environment early this morning has been downgraded to a Flood Watch. This reflects lower than forecast rainfall for the region
— Banff Town (@Banff_Town) June 13, 2022
According to the earlier notice posted to the Town of Banff’s website, the warning was issued Monday morning because of “greater than normal snowpack” coupled with the threat of heavy precipitation.
There were concerns that the two factors would lead to “high flow rates in streams and rivers,” pushing up the risk for the Bow to breach its banks.
In its update posted Monday afternoon, the town says emergency crews have paused deployment of temporary dams around lower elevations.
“The town will continue to monitor the river levels and flow rates,” it tweeted.
Avoid Bow River banks as they can become slippery and unstable. Avoid any closed sections of trails & keep pets & children away from the river which continues to have high river flow and high turbidity which can conceal dangerous debris https://t.co/aQZ3TtCIUa
— Banff Town (@Banff_Town) June 13, 2022
Despite the flood warning being downgraded to a watch, people around the Bow River are being told to avoid the banks “as they can become slippery and unstable.”
In addition, people are also asked to avoid trails that are closed.
This comes as parts of southern Alberta are hit with heavy rain and the potential for flooding.
RELATED ARTICLE: Calgary rainfall warning, river watch issued
In Calgary, a state of local emergency was declared amid a rainfall warning. A river watch is also in place for the Elbow and Bow rivers.
Environment Canada says it’s expecting a “prolonged and significant rainfall event,” with between 75 to 125 millimetres of rain in the Calgary area expected by Wednesday morning.
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