Glenmore Reservoir closed to ensure citizen safety

The City of Calgary Recreation in conjunction with Water Services, under section 13.8 Glenmore Reservoir Bylaw, has implemented a ban on recreational uses of Glenmore Reservoir. The water level in the reservoir is being dropped to accommodate the expected rainfall over the next few days in the watershed. Lowering the water level is part of The City of Calgary’s seasonal operations protocol for the managing the reservoir. In the interest of citizen safety, the public is asked to stay off the reservoir until further notice.

Several factors contributed to this decision:

1. During high river flow periods, typical at this time of year, the water level is lowered to accommodate the flow from upstream of the dam to mitigate the potential of flooding. As a result, The City of Calgary Boat Patrol is unable to launch rescue craft, preventing them from responding to calls for assistance.
2. There remains an excessive amount of large floating, and semi-submerged debris in the reservoir creating hazardous conditions.
3. The highly turbid water obscures hazards below the surface and makes it extremely difficult to search underwater.

The Glenmore Reservoir has three main uses - to supply drinking water to Calgarians, provide flood control and downstream management, and recreational use for non-motorized boating.

The condition of the Glenmore Reservoir will be reviewed on a daily basis. Updates will be posted on the Glenmore Reservoir information page when conditions change (calgary.ca/recreation).

The City of Calgary Recreation is committed to building an active, creative and vibrant city.  We work towards our vision by offering affordable and accessible recreation products and services, by facilitating city festivals and events, investing in quality recreation amenities and public art, and by partnering with external organizations to enhance sport, art, and culture within Calgary.

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