As locals trade cowboy boots for water shoes to avoid Stampede crowds, the city reminded residents that while floating the Bow River, safety is something they do not want to drift away from. 

On June 27, the city’s community standards department met with representatives of the Partners in Aquatic Safety group — made up of the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) and Calgary Police Service (CPS) — to mark the beginning of water leisure season with a message of caution.

“Every year, we want to remind folks about the dangers and all of the things that they can do that are in their control to make that experience as safe as possible,” said Public Information Officer at the CFD, Carol Henke. 

“You can never completely eliminate the risk, but you can definitely decrease it and make it a normal, fun event, versus a tragic one.”

Over the next two months, The Weather Network forecasts that the Calgary area will experience extremely high temperatures, potentially leading to heat waves and drought. Community Safety Officer at the CFD, Alex Kwan, says that conditions such as these attract people to water. 

“That’s when there’s going to be a lot more people that venture out to try and cool off,” he said.

Where in Calgary is it safe to float?

Naming areas of the Bow River situated near parking lots, such as the Harvie Passage and Barley Point  — adjacent to Pearce Estate Park in Inglewood — Kwan said that these tend to be the most populated, but that people often underestimate the risks involved. 

“It is meant as a recreational white water usage, but it’s not a water park…so it’s not set up for that kind of safety,” he said. 

After flowing through the Harvie Passage dam, the river splits into two channels. If looking down the river from the viewing area, Kwan said that the right side has mild drops, while the left side has large drops. 

“If you don’t have any type of whitewater experience, you need to absolutely stay out of the left side of the channel,” he said. 

“There is no safe way to navigate that.”

No matter where residents are swimming or rafting, Kwan said that the Bow River’s water temperature and levels are unpredictable, and urged residents to educate themselves and adequately plan their excursion to ensure returning home safely.

Water safety do’s and don’ts

On average, Kwan said that incidents tend to happen near bridge pillars or when natural debris like tree branches damage and traps users and their floating device. He said that this is why it’s essential to keep a keen eye on downstream hazards.

“You need to know everything in the water, what the temperature is going to be, and what the conditions are,” he said. 

Earlier this week, the CFD lifted boating restrictions on the Bow River, yet stated that the water temperature remains cold. According to Public Health Ontario, water temperature between 10C and 15C can induce cold shock, and in the summer, Calgary’s section of the river is usually just short of 17C. 

Despite cold water posing risks to breathing and heart rate when submerged long enough, CPS Traffic Section Insp. Kurt Jacobs said that it can entice people on hot days. Sometimes, in addition to floating with the company of an alcoholic beverage.

“We’d advise those people to probably wait until after they’re done rafting,” he said. 

“Those things end up being an impairment to people’s judgment.”

Jacobs said that the consumption of alcohol on public bodies of water can result in seizure and even criminal charges if the situation is deemed serious enough. Community Safety Peace Officer Mark Smith said personnel will be actively surveying shorelines.

“For us, it’s having a presence for not just enforcement, but also safety as well,” he said. 

Kwan said that paddle boarding has become commonplace on the Bow, but that wearing the supplied ankle leash is a drowning hazard. Whether it’s fast-moving rivers or calm, community lakes, Smith said that they see a concerning number of water users not wearing life jackets. 

“Life jackets are very important,” he said,

“We want people to have fun on the river, but we also want it to be done in a safe manner.”

To learn more about water safety practices, visit the City of Calgary’s webpage.