Water Supply Outlook for Alberta

April 2012

Water Supply Forecast as of April 1, 2012 - Bow River Basin (Natural Flows)

Volume Forecast for March 1 to September 30, 2012
Locations Volume in dam3 Volume as a % of Average Probable Range as a % of Average Potential Minimum
as % of Average
Forecast Ranking (lowest to highest) Recorded March-September 2011 Volume as a % of Average
Bow River at Banff 1,208,000 113 101-122 89 69/91 95
Lake Minnewanka Inflow 219,000 117 96-130 80 73/91 133
Spray River near Banff 409,000 111 100-122 94 67/91 N/A
Kananaskis River 405,000 99 90-113 75 45/91 97
Bow River at Calgary 2,582,000 106 94-120 82 60/91 113
Elbow River 206,000 95 79-109 70 51/91 128
Highwood River 615,000 98 82-116 66 52/91 146


Average is calculated for the March 1 to September 30 period from 1912 to 2001

NOTE: There is: a 50% chance that the actual natural flow will fall within the probable range given; a 25% chance that the actual flow will be less than the lower bound of the probable range given; and a 10% chance that the actual natural flow will be less than the potential minimum. Actual day to day streamflow conditions may vary throughout the season as a result of the effects of streamflow diversion and reservoir storage.


For technical enquires about this web page please contact Alberta Environment - Environmental Management Water Management Operations Branch at AENV-WebWS@gov.ab.ca