Water Supply Outlook for Alberta

August 2009

Water Supply Forecast as of August 1, 2009 - Bow River Basin (Natural Flows)

Volume Forecast for March 1 to September 30, 2009
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 2008 Volume as a % of Average
Bow River at Banff 787,000 73 71-77 71 3/91 85
Lake Minnewanka Inflow 153,000 82 80-86 78 23/91 125
Spray River near Banff 309,000 84 83-86 79 19/91 107
Kananaskis River 312,000 76 75-79 73 11/91 107
Bow River at Calgary 1,835,000 76 73-79 71 10/91 105
Elbow River 180,000 82 80-86 79 36/91 139
Highwood River 390,000 62 61-67 59 19/91 128


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