Bow River has been lowered to deal with the rebar problem
Posted Aug 16, 2016 2:35 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The fire department has been busy on the Bow River as it works to remove rebar that is sticking out near Crowchild Trail.
Allan Ball with the Calgary Fire Department says the river was lowered Tuesday to make the job easier.
“We have asked, and Transalta utilities has granted us until sunset tonight, then they will increase the water levels,” Ball said.
The level has been dropped to just above 70 metres cubed per second, which is just above winter levels.
Ball they plan to remove the rebar by using some familiar equipment.
“We’re actually using our hydraulic extrication equipment, so it’s equipment we would used for a motor vehicle collision if someone had to be extricated from a vehicle. It’s powered by hydraulics, it’s a closed system so no hydraulic fluid will get into the Bow River, and we can actually submerge in the water and cut off this rebar,” Ball added.
He says the goal is to cut the rebar so it is a metre below the water surface.
There is a boat on the water to warn rafters about the work, but everything, including the water level, will be back to normal by Wednesday.
