BOW RIVER TROUT FOUNDATION

New Signage is in place at West Baker Park, 10 Street NW, Glenmore /Graves Bridge and Sandy Beach.  The signage consists of a kiosk style of layout with a river map and safety information. Additional river user information is available on the city website at Calgary River Access

Bow River North and Bow River South Signage can be seen below.

West Baker Park and Shouldice will remain closed to the public until  the new boat ramps at Inglewood and Ogden Bridge are complete and Harvie Passage Low Flow Channel is open to the public in 2018.

A new hand launch has been installed at Douglasdale South. Portable toilets, benches & garbage bins have been installed at all designated river access points.

The engineering process to start construction on on the new boat ramp at Ogden Road / Refinery Park is underway with completion expected in 2017. Inglewood boat ramp will follow in 2019. All good news.

The province has begun implementing the advice from a report that identifies ways to improve flood resilience in Calgary and better manage water throughout the Bow River basin.

Based on the report’s findings, the province is working with TransAlta and other stakeholders to begin implementing some of the short-term solutions identified. These include:

• Discussions with TransAlta to extend and expand the current agreement on modified operations, including the addition of Spray Lake and Lake Minnewanka to the agreement and using Barrier Lake for flood mitigation purposes rather than drought mitigation.
• Discussions with Irrigation Districts to improve water retention for agricultural use downstream of Calgary.
• A feasibility study on increasing the drawdown rate at Ghost Reservoir.
• Initiating feasibility studies for potential long-term projects identified in the report.

The following link details the plans:

Bow River Flood Mitigation Report

All good news for the Bow River and those who enjoy a very valuable recreation resource.

Alberta Environment and Parks is launching public engagement on the first phase of the Draft Bow River Access Plan. Over the last 30 years, the Bow River has grown in reputation to become a world famous fly-fishing destination and popular area for rafting and canoeing.  Considering the interest and potential, there is a desire to improve access to the river and foster tourism opportunities while ensuring the sustainability of the fishery. The purpose of the draft plan is to identify key river access points for public use, reduce site impacts, improve recreation, tourism and educational opportunities, and reduce user conflict.

As the planning process enters the engagement phase, stakeholders, river users, and the public are invited to participate in a short survey to share your thoughts on the Draft Bow River Access Plan. More information on the draft plan and access to the survey can be found at Talk AEP. Feedback on this first phase will be collected from July 4 to July 31, 2017.

Please feel free to give this email the widest distribution possible as we hope to solicit feedback from a wide variety of users.

Thank you,

Rob Wolfe, Alberta Environment & Parks

If we had boat launches that were properly thought out and engineered correctly then we would not have the mess that is Policeman’s Flats today.

Boat access to the Bow River has consistently been an afterthought, but with Bow River Trout Foundation’s work on Calgary’s River Access Strategy, new and upgraded boat ramps will be seen in the City. But the Province must do its part and take immediate action and make improvements to existing river access such as Policeman’s Flats to secure river access until alternative sites are developed.

If you would like to help us in ensuring healthy river access  for future generations, consider joining the Bow River Tout Foundation.

BRT Membership