Water Supply Outlook for Alberta

February 2013

Water Supply Forecast as of February 1, 2013 - Bow River Basin (Natural Flows)

Volume Forecast for March 1 to September 30, 2013
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 2012 Volume as a % of Average
Bow River at Banff 986,000 98 92-104 87 35/99 135
Lake Minnewanka Inflow 162,000 91 80-106 70 34/99 168
Spray River near Banff 372,000 103 97-111 91 50/99 114
Kananaskis River 385,000 101 90-112 80 42/99 125
Bow River at Calgary 2,288,000 99 95-104 90 42/99 135
Elbow River 176,000 87 78-109 69 35/99 125
Highwood River 541,000 97 80-125 65 44/99 130


Average is calculated for the March 1 to September 30 period from 1981 to 2009

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