Water Supply Outlook for Alberta

February 2012

Water Supply Forecast as of February 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 1,207,000 113 109-120 98 71/91 95
Lake Minnewanka Inflow 207,000 111 95-121 78 17/91 133
Spray River near Banff 394,000 107 89-117 86 61/91 N/A
Kananaskis River 402,000 98 80-108 77 42/91 97
Bow River at Calgary 2,545,000 105 94-115 85 54/91 113
Elbow River 206,000 95 74-103 63 51/91 128
Highwood River 607,000 97 72-112 58 49/91 146


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