Our community is located in the heart of a dynamic river valley, bisected by the Bow River and fed by several mountain creeks. We know that we face potential future flooding events. That is why we are taking action to prepare, respond, and adapt to floods.
Learn more below about how we are taking action through mitigation, monitoring, and policy to ensure that our community is more resilient to flooding.
Taking Action for Flood Resilience
We are a safer community today because of the 2013 flood. The aftermath of the disaster gave rise to a new risk and hazard assessment process, safer steep mountain creeks, and resulted in a robust emergency management plan for future emergencies.
While we can’t prevent floods, we have taken the following actions to make our community better prepared for future flooding:
- Conducted Forensic Assessments and Hazard and Risk Assessments on all priority creeks (Cougar, Three-Sisters, Pigeon, Stoneworks, Stone, Echo Canyon, and X,Y,Z creeks).
- Created a Mountain Creek Hazard Mitigation Program (more info below).
- Restored the channels on Three Sisters Creek and Pigeon Creek.
- Restored and armored the channel of Stone Creek, Cougar Creek, and upgraded the Highway 1 culvert.
- Currently constructing the Debris Flood Retention Structure on Cougar Creek.
- Secured funding for the design and construction of long-term mitigation for the priority creeks from the federal government (Infrastructure Canada – DMAF) and the provincial government (Alberta Environment and Protect Areas – ACRP).
- Implemented a Seasonal Flood Monitoring Program including annual spring inspection of creeks.
- Installed weather monitoring equipment at both the Civic Centre and above Cougar Creek.
- Updated the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) to include a Steep Creek Hazard Overlay (section 7.8).
- Updated the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) to include a section on Steep Creeks (section 3.5).
- Updated the Engineering Design and Construction Guidelines (EDCG) in 2020 to include steep creek hazard mitigation.
- Working with developers to ensure that the development in steep creek hazard zones or steep creek study areas are developed according to the LUB, the MDP, and the EDCG.
Know Your Flood Hazard and Risk Areas
While the Bow River often dominates flood discussions, the nearby mountain creeks, exemplified by Cougar Creek in the 2013 flood, also threaten our community. We're actively assessing, mitigating, and monitoring these risks, but it's crucial for you to understand the hazards that could affect you.
Be prepared for flooding events that can occur without warning.
Bow River Flood Hazard Map
In 2024, the Province finalized an updated flood hazard map for the Upper Bow River that includes Canmore. You can review the flood hazard map on their interactive mapping platform.
Steep Creek Flood Hazard and Risk Map
We conducted Hazard and Risk Assessments on all priority creeks (Cougar, Three Sisters, Pigeon, Stoneworks, Stone, Echo Canyon, and X,Y,Z creeks). We also conduct an annual Spring inspections of these creeks as part of our Seasonal Flood Monitoring Program.
Mountain Creek Hazard Mitigation Program
We are installing infrastructure to protect our community against potential future flooding events. See below for details about our work on priority creeks.
The Cougar Creek Debris Flood Retention Structure is now functionally complete. For generations to come, it will serve as a crucial part of our long-term flood mitigation efforts to protect Canmore residents and critical infrastructure.
If flood waters rise on Cougar Creek, this embankment dam structure will minimize the flow of water and debris to reduce potential damage to our community downstream.
Next Steps [Last Updated Nov. 7, 2024]
- There remain some final touches, such as site demobilization, that will take place over the coming weeks. We expect this work to wrap up by the end of November.
- Additional landscaping and installation of educational signage will take place in spring 2025.
Trail Closures
- Cougar Creek Canyon trail access remains closed while final work wraps up. We anticipate that Alberta Parks will rescind the closure in the weeks to come. Hiking around the closure to access Cougar Canyon is not permitted. Once we have a reopening date, we will work with Alberta Parks to share the news with the community.
- Please respect closures and posted signage for your safety. For details visit Alberta Parks Advisories.
- Follow all posted signage and do not enter closed areas for your safety. You may be under surveillance.
Project Overview
- The Cougar Creek Structure is a 34-meter-high rock-filled embankment located where Cougar Creek exits the mountains.
- In normal conditions, water flows freely under through an outlet at the base of the structure.
- In flood conditions, the structure becomes a powerful defense, slowing the flow of water to a peak flow to 45 m3/s and trapping large debris like boulders and trees, preventing them from reaching downstream areas and threatening homes and infrastructure.
- In extreme flooding scenarios, the structure features a high-capacity spillway designed to manage excess water safely. This spillway prevents damage to the structure while controlling the release of water.
Background
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In response to the aftermath of the 2013 flood, we took decisive action to protect our community from future flooding events. Planning for the ambitious structure began a decade ago following the devastating impacts of the 2013 floods in Canmore, with construction starting in 2020.
- This project to enhance Canmore’s resiliency to flooding was made possible by the contributions of more than $14.4 million through the New Building Canada Fund, $19 million from Alberta’s Flood Recovery Erosion Control Program, and $26.95 million from Alberta's Community Resilience Program. The Town of Canmore also contributed $12.3 million from its General Capital and Asset Rehabilitation & Replacement Reserves.
Contact Us
For more information on the project email us at cougarcreek@canmore.ca
Current Status
Detailed design of the long-term mitigation has started and should be completed by end of 2024. The tendering process and construction will likely start in 2025.
Project Overview
- The design and construction of the Three Sisters Creek long-term mitigation is an approved project by Council.
- Flood rehabilitation and mitigation of the lower reach of Three Sisters Creek, between the Bow River and the pedestrian bridge was substantially completed in September 2018.
- Three Sisters Mountain Village (TSMV) has assessed the steep creek hazard in relation to future development on the western portion of the fan through the Area Stucture Plan process. TSMV has also produced preliminary design report for the hazard mitigation of their new development. The proposed mitigation complements the Town’s long-term mitigation plan for Three Sisters Creek. Coordination between the Town and TSMV is still required to complete the design and during construction.
Current Status
Construction is planned to occur in the next couple of years. An update will be provided prior to construction start.
Project Overview
- The construction of Stoneworks Creek long-term mitigation is an approved project by Council.
- The design of the long-term mitigation is mostly complete. However, AltaLink is currently in the planning phase to rebuild their high voltage power lines crossing the Palliser lands, including Stoneworks Creek.
- We are working with AltaLink to ensure that the rebuild is compatible with the planned mitigation. Once confirmed, the design will be finalized, and the project will be tendered for construction.
Current Status
- We plan on undertaking design and construction of long-term mitigation works is planned in the next 5 years once we have completed projects on other priority creeks.
- All required assessments on Stone Creek have been completed.
- The project still requires Council approval.
Current Status
- The hazard and risk assessments of X, Y, Z creeks (above the Peaks of Grassi) and Echo Creek Canyon (near Alpine Club of Canada) were completed in 2019.
- The long-term mitigation options of X, Y, Z creeks were considered as part of the assessment. The options may be considered by Council and Administration as work on higher priority creeks is completed.
Current Status
- All required assessments on Pigeon Creek have been completed.
- The mitigation work on the lower reach of Pigeon Creek has been completed in 2018 by the MD of Bighorn.
- Three Sisters Mountain Village will need to consider long-term mitigation when development in the Smith Creek area progresses.