Restriction stage
None
No mandatory restrictions active
Bow Basin snowpack
68%
of normal — below average
Bow at Banff
—
cms · 25km upstream of Canmore
Bow near Cochrane
—
cms · downstream of Ghost Dam
Bow River corridor — live conditions
Flow corridor — west to east along the Bow
Showing flow as % of June historical normal — higher = above average for this time of year
Normal
Elevated
High
Tributary
Canmore water supply
Surface water (~50%)Rundle Forebay — fed by Spray Lakes reservoir via TransAlta canal system from Kananaskis Country
Groundwater (~50%)Shallow aquifer beneath downtown Canmore, hydrologically connected to the Bow River
OperatorEPCOR Water Services — utility agreement with Town of Canmore (expires 2030)
TreatmentPumphouse 1 (groundwater, chlorination) · Pumphouse 2 / Rundle Forebay (coagulation, gravity filtration, UV)
Downtown Canmore & low-lying areas: groundwater flooding risk.
The downtown aquifer responds to both Bow River levels and sustained rainfall.
When the river runs high — especially combined with heavy rain — groundwater pressure rises
and can enter basements even when the Bow has not overflowed its banks.
Sustained Bow at Banff readings above 150 cms signal elevated risk.
This is distinct from overbank flooding and is not captured by standard flood advisories.
Rundle Forebay levels are not publicly available — EPCOR operates on SCADA. Spray River at Banff is the best available public proxy.
Bow Basin snowpack — 2026
68% of normal at spring peak. Once snowmelt ends (typically late July), river levels drop sharply and drought risk increases. The 2026 season saw a rain-on-snow event in early June that briefly drove flows near Cochrane above 480 cms.
0%68% of normal (2026)100% normal
Alberta River Forecast Centre · Bow River Basin · April 2026 peak
Restriction stages
NoneNormal monitoring
Stage 1Voluntary outdoor reduction
Stage 2Mandatory odd/even watering days
Stage 3No non-essential outdoor use
Stage 4Emergency — indoor conservation
Restrictions can be triggered by drought or infrastructure failure independently.
canmore.ca drought monitoring →
Year-round conservation — Canmore
High impact
Watch the Bow at Banff in July–August
Once snowmelt ends the Bow drops sharply. Low Banff discharge is the earliest public signal of potential restrictions — before EPCOR or the Town announce anything. This dashboard will show it first.
High impact
Downtown Canmore residents: check Banff after rain
When Bow at Banff exceeds 150 cms — especially after sustained rain — check your basement. The shallow aquifer responds within hours. Sump pumps should be tested each spring.
High impact
Don't swim in the Rundle Forebay
The Rundle Forebay supplies roughly half of Canmore's drinking water. Recreational use increases treatment costs and contamination risk.
Medium impact
Water gardens before 7am
Canmore's dry mountain air means higher evaporation rates than coastal cities. Early morning watering loses 30% less water than midday.
Medium impact
Report leaks to EPCOR: 403.609.6400
Canmore's aging distribution system has historically lost 20–25% of treated water to leaks. Every reported leak matters at that scale.
Medium impact
Sign up for Voyent Alert
The Town uses Voyent Alert for restriction notifications. Free at canmore.ca — you'll know about restrictions before your neighbour does.