Partners in Aquatic Safety ask Calgarians to stay safe on our rivers and lakes this summer

With the first day of summer approaching, The City of Calgary's Partners in Aquatic Safety are urging Calgarians to prioritize safety while enjoying water activities.

Partners in Aquatic Safety is a collaborative effort across The City’s emergency rescue, enforcement and recreation business units. The group officially launched the water recreation season today with a strong message emphasizing the importance of being cautious and prepared when venturing onto Calgary’s waterways.

With more Calgarians than ever expected to be enjoying our City’s lakes and rivers, the Calgary Fire Department emphasized that “where there’s water, there’s risk,” and that good safety practices can prevent trouble not only on fast-moving water like the Bow River, but also on calm waters like community lakes.

“Our City’s waterways are wild places that are seeing a growing number of preventable incidents,” says Alex Kwan, Calgary Fire Department Public Information Officer. “Last week, Calgary Fire rescued seven indviduals who became pinned on a bridge abutment on the Bow River, including one person who was pulled from the water.”

“Water incidents, including drownings, can happen very quickly yet are avoidable if you follow simple guidelines, such as knowing your route, current river conditions and ensuring that your plan and boating equipment is appropriate to conditions and the skill level of your group,” says Kwan. “And on all lakes and rivers, lifejackets and proper supervision are critical for children and inexperienced swimmers.”

Throughout the summer, Calgary Fire Department’s aquatic crews patrol the Bow and Elbow rivers and respond to incidents on all bodies of water within Calgary. Law enforcement officials from CPS and CCS will also patrol Calgary’s waterways, pathways and riverbanks to enforce municipal bylaws and provincial statutes.

“If you’re on a boat, you need to wear a life jacket,” says Staff Sgt. Andy Woodward, with the CPS Traffic Unit. “If you’re steering that boat, you need to wear a life jacket and you need to be sober. Being impaired by drugs or alcohol while operating a boat is no different than being impaired by drugs or alcohol while driving a car.  It’s dangerous, and it’s illegal.”

Calgarians are reminded that not wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) on Calgary’s waterways can result in a fine up to $500 and a mandatory court appearance.

“Wearing a lifejacket or personal flotation device is not just a choice; it’s the law,” says Inspector Susan Wall, City of Calgary Community Safety. “Bylaw and CPS officers are dedicated to enforcing water safety bylaws, so let’s protect ourselves and avoid fines while enjoying Calgary rivers and lakes.”

In addition to practicing water safety and following water safety bylaws, Calgarians are reminded of the importance of swimming lessons and encouraged to build their knowledge of staying safe around the water.

“Learning to swim is one of the most important steps Calgarians can take to stay safe around the water,” explains Team Lead of Thornhill Aquatic & Recreation Centre, Kadyn Morris. “Too often, incidents happen when people don’t expect them. Knowing how to swim and how to stay calm can save your life. It’s never too late to start. No matter your age or experience, everyone deserves to feel confident in the water.”

To help more Calgarians build these life-saving skills, The City of Calgary is offering free-swimming lessons on June 25 at Thornhill Aquatic & Recreation Centre, Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic & Recreation Centre, Acadia Aquatic & Fitness Centre and Bob Bahan Aquatic & Fitness Centre.

These free lessons are a part of a global initiative called “The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson” focused on water safety education and drowning prevention. “We’re proud to be part of this global effort,” adds Morris. “It’s an opportunity for Calgarians of all ages to take that first step. Register, learn the skills and help keep yourself and others safe.”

And finally, when calling 9-1-1 in a water emergency, knowing your location is critical. You may not know exactly where you are, but sharing what you can see around you - such as outfall numbers along shorelines, pathway markers, nearby addresses, bridge names, or other landmarks - can help 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Officers pinpoint your location and dispatch emergency crews quickly.

“One of the most important things people can do in a water emergency is to call 9-1-1 immediately and provide as much location information as possible,” says Dan Heyde, Deputy Chief of Operations, Calgary 9-1-1. “If you see someone in distress, don't hesitate to call for help.”

Visit calgary.ca/watersafety for more information on how to stay safe this summer on the water as well as calgary.ca/WorldSwim to register for the June 25 free event.

Calgary Fire Department -- aquatic safety fast facts

Source: Calgary Fire Department

• Current incident tracking and modelling from the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) project a potential all-time peak in water rescues for 2026.
• The greatest number of water rescues occur in July, averaging 50 rescues that month since 2016.
• Geographically, Calgary Fire sees the greatest number of water rescues on the Bow River between the Shouldice Boat Ramp downstream to Harvie Passage. The communities of Montgomery and Inglewood, at either end of this float, see the greatest number of aquatic rescues in the waters adjacent to their communities.
• Lakes and ponds across Calgary also see notable aquatic rescue incidents, including popular locations around the Glenmore Reservoir, community lakes and smaller bodies of water, including the Saddle Ridge storm water pond.
• In 2024, the second greatest number of rescues were recorded at Harvie Passage since 2016, a popular white-water destination that requires appropriate water craft, skill and water safety equipment. These incidents are considered serious, considering the flow and difficulty of the Bow River in that area.
• Calgary Fire has recorded seven aquatic rescue incidents involving paddleboards and individuals falling off them. One of these incidents involved a person being tied to a paddleboard and subsequently dragged downriver.
• Calgary Fire has attended a total of 30 fatalities related to aquatic rescue calls since 2016, including five in 2017 and four in 2021. Last year, in 2025, three Calgarians drowned and 2026 has already seen one drowning fatality.

Source: Calgary Fire Department

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