Calgary Fire Department Issues Warning To Bow River Rafters

[SilverDoctor]

I know most of the guides and drift boaters are aware of some of the hazards on the Bow during low water. But just in case watch out for those rebars they can do a nasty on a boat or raft.

 

Keep safe out there

 

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Calgary Herald
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Published on: August 14, 2016 | Last Updated: August 14, 2016 8:42 PM MDT

The Calgary Fire Department responded to multiple calls this weekend of rafters in the water, or getting stranded, after lower water levels left hazards closer to the surface of the Bow River. Acting battalion chief Fred Rogi said firefighters responded on four different occasions during the weekend to reports of stranded rafters.

There have been no injuries, he said. The fire department’s aquatics team has also found nine deflated rafts.

“It’s quite a hazard,” said Rogi.

 

According to fire officials, a particularly dangerous spot is just upstream from where the river flows under the Crowchild Trail bridge, where large amounts of rebar have been discovered just below the water surface, about four metres from the shore. People rafting down the river are being asked to stay to the south side of the river in this location, although the fire department noted that could be challenging due a strong current in that area.

The location has been marked with caution tape. The fire department reminded river users to wear life jackets or personal flotation devices on the water.

 

[fishteck]

TransAlta Update: Monday August 15

As informed by the media, recreational boaters were having trouble in the Bow due to exposed debris around the Crowchild Bridge area.

The CFD Deputy Chief has requested our collaboration to reduce flow from Bearspaw to help the crews that will remove those hazards from the River tomorrow afternoon.

We have made our best water management adjustments and will reduce the flow release from Bearspaw gradually from around 109 m3/s at 8:00 AM to 65 m3/s at noon, and will maintain the low flow during the afternoon until sunset; at that time, we will gradually increase the flows in the river to return the Bearspaw reservoir to normal operation.

[FraserN]

The rescue boat crews placed a very large orange Buoy in the middle of some heavy rapids upstream of crowchild trail bridge, tonight. I suppose it serves as a warning to boaters about the rapids, but to be honest, I have no idea why they put it there.