Dry weather shifts Calgary's rivers into 'winter slow flow' sooner than expected
Calgary's recent long stretch of warm dry weather is having an effect on the Bow and Elbow rivers, but officials with the City of Calgary say the water supply is in good shape.
Downstream around Calgary it may not appear that water is scarce, even though river sources upstream in the mountains west of Calgary received less then half of expected summer precipitation.
Experts say that has caused a winter-level low flow and has also switched the river's source from mountain snowpack to groundwater -- and this has happened weeks earlier than typical.
"The current low flow is happening most likely because we had low precipitation in the mountains during the months of August and September," said Masaki Hayashi - geoscience professor University of Calgary
Alberta's situation is not as dire as in British Columbia, where coastal river systems are low and warm, harming the salmon run.
As for the shift in flow patterns in the Bow River Basin, Hayashi says they are likely a worrying trend not just in the fall, but he expects spring high flow may start earlier next spring.
"It will probably become earlier with climate warming. But there needs to be some sort of shift in water resource management to account for this," he said.
GLENMORE RESERVOIR
City officials say it prepares for shifting river levels by managing the city’s water supply at the Glenmore Reservoir.
"We look for a combination of low flows, low storage in our reservoir, high demands, and any operational issues. Those things can combine to challenge our water supply," said Pamela Duncan, team lead of resource strategy, water services.
Pamela Duncan, City of Calgary
She says recent upgrades to the dam have increased storage capacity which is now full and says there's no threat to Calgary's water supply.
"We're constantly watching that and able to respond when we see any red flag that may challenge our supply," she said.
She added there are plans in the works to create a drought resilience strategy -- and to prepare direct response plans in case the river beds get too low.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Outdoor enthusiasts: How to keep active and motivated during Canadian winter
When the cold and snow have people hunkering down, these outdoor enthusiasts find motivation in braving the Canadian winter through community and sport.

Video of brutal, violent beating of Tyre Nichols leaves many unanswered questions
The nation and the city of Memphis struggled to come to grips Saturday with video showing police pummeling Tyre Nichols -- footage that left many unanswered questions about the traffic stop involving the Black motorist and about other law enforcement officers who stood by as he lay motionless on the pavement.
Health Canada maintains use of COVID prevention drug Evusheld despite FDA pullback
Health Canada says it will continue to recommend COVID-19 prevention drug, Evulsheld, despite U.S. FDA pulling back its emergency use authorization due to concerns around its efficacy against Omicron subvariant 'Kraken.'
Germany won't be a 'party to the war' amid tanks exports to Ukraine: Ambassador
Germany's ambassador to Canada says NATO will not become 'a party to the conflict' in Ukraine, despite several countries announcing they'll answer President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's pleas for tanks, possibly increasing the risk of Russian escalation.
W5 EXCLUSIVE | Interviewing a narco hitman: my journey into Mexico's cartel heartland
W5 goes deep into the narco heartland to interview a commander with one of Mexico's most brutal cartels. W5's documentary 'Narco Avocados' airs Saturday at 7 pm on CTV.
OPINION | Selling a home? How to know if you qualify for a capital gains exemption
When selling a home, Canadians may be exempted from paying capital gains tax on a residential property -- if it's their principal residence. On CTVNews.ca, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains what's determined as a principal residence, and what properties are eligible for the exemption.
What we know -- and still don't know -- about what led to Tyre Nichols' death
Tyre Nichols was hospitalized after he was pulled over on January 7, police have said. Five Memphis Police Department officers, who also are Black, were fired after an internal investigation and are facing criminal charges, including second-degree murder.
Inflation-focused Pierre Poilievre back to Parliament as health-care talks loom
With a deal under negotiation between Ottawa and provinces, and premiers invited to a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in early February, the issue remains one where the Tory leader's position appears somewhat murky, including to some inside his own party.
U.S. mass shootings lead to widening divide on state gun policies
Mass shootings have commanded public attention on a disturbingly frequent basis across the U.S., from a supermarket slaying in Buffalo, New York, to an elementary school tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, to a recent shooting at a California dance hall.