As if we don’t have enough to occupy our minds, the 2020 flood season is upon us. But this year, we have the upgraded Glenmore Gates on our side.

BACKGROUND

In 1933, the Glenmore Dam together with the Glenmore Water Treatment Plan were built to provide drinking water to Calgarians. The Glenmore Dam resulted in the creation of the Glenmore reservoir, which stores our water supply (City of Calgary, 2020). 

And, after more than 85 years of service, the Glenmore Dam has undergone an extensive upgrade that is now in place and operable! Find out more about the last three years of construction on the City of Calgary's website. 

STATUS

With 21 new 2.5 meter high gates, the reservoir is able to store an additional 10 million cubic meters of water in the reservoir. The gates will provide greater control of the river water flow through our neighbourhoods during floods (CRC Action Group, 2020).

The gates will allow the city to fully mitigate a 2005-sized flood, and slightly reduce the effect of the 2013-sized flood. Upstream mitigation is required to address a more significant event (CRC Action Group, 2020).

WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO THE BELTLINE?

These upgrades take some pressure off having to respond to lower-level flood events and having evacuations triggered during lower-level events. The City continues to prepare for future higher-level flood events that we know will occur, particularly around evacuation (CRC Action Group, 2020).

Additionally, the higher gates will also increase the amount of water that can be stored in the summer and winter months when the flows on the Elbow River are slower, which is good news for our water supply (CRC Action Group, 2020).

WAIT BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR BIKE OUT

The bridge deck and pathway aren't quite ready yet. The City of Calgary anticipates that the bridge deck and pathway will reopened to the public this summer in order to allow pathway users to circle the entire reservoir and enjoy spectacular views of Calgary’s landscape.

FLOOD READINESS RESOURCES

1 / The City of Calgary publishes a flood readiness newsletter. Click here for latest version.

2 / The City of Calgary has a web page dedicated to sharing additional information. Click here to view.