Water Supply Outlook for Alberta

March 2013

Water Supply Forecast as of March 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 947,600 94 89-99 85 27/98 135
Lake Minnewanka Inflow 167,700 95 83-109 72 36/99 168
Spray River near Banff 375,000 104 97-104 91 53/99 114
Kananaskis River 386,000 101 91-112 82 42/99 125
Bow River at Calgary 2,282,000 99 94-104 90 41/99 135
Elbow River 178,200 88 78-110 69 38/99 125
Highwood River 507,000 91 72-91 55 38/99 130


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