"We use data provided by experts but we know the river, and the Town calls the shots to determine when action is required to protect our residents." -Craig Snodgrass, Mayor of High River

Local monitoring and observations are based on historical events, science and experience

• Spring thaw, Spring rains and snowmelt are predictable cycles of nature.
• History demonstrates that when these events combine, the effect on the Town is not predicable.
• The Town conducts an annual Hazard Risk Vulnerability Assessment to determine conditions each Spring.
• In 2022, the Town will reach a milestone with the completion of Flood Mitigation infrastructure to protect our community, making High River one of the most flood protected communities in Canada.
• River monitoring, weather patterns and scientific data from the Province provides the intelligence required for timely and informed decision making.
• High River is recognized as a World class leader in flood planning and response.
• Town staff monitor and interpret data provided to us in real time by the province. Trigger points are established indicating when control measures must be activated to protect our community.
• The Town uses this information to ensure the safety of the community and its residents.

For more information, view the Living on the the Highwood River document.

Many factors, both natural and human-induced, cause rivers to continuously change. The definitions used on High River’s River Monitoring signs are standard terminology used by hydrologists who study and measure stream flow.

• Each year, the town places LED signs in high-traffic areas to inform residents of the hazards during peak hazard season.
• These signs intend to raise awareness of the risk potential.

The Town will inform residents if action is required based on the risk. Refer to Town information on the website and social media and listen for alerts.

The Town uses the provincial standard to monitor the river:

• Normal
• High Stream Flow Advisory
• Flood Watch
• Flood Warning

Action is not required until the Flood Watch stage, but it is always good to be prepared for an emergency.

To help understand the reported flow rates, please note that the river flow during the 2013 flood reached 1820 cubic meters / second.

Normal Flow Stage

Flow is measured by noting the amount of water passing by monitoring stations. This data is available in real-time for the critical stations monitored by Town staff on rivers.alberta.ca.

High Stream Flow Advisory Stage

Stream levels are rising rapidly, and no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Anyone close to the streams affected is advised to be cautious of the rising levels.

It is always important to be prepared if the stream flow advisory becomes a Flood Watch. Water volume and flow are ever-changing, and the advisory may be cancelled when flows return to normal. If volume and flow return to normal, this stage will be followed with the normal stage, or the advisory will be lifted.

Flood Watch Stage

Stream levels are rising and will approach or may overflow the riverbanks. Flooding of areas adjacent to these streams may occur. Anyone situated close to the river is advised to take appropriate precautionary measures.

Flood Warning Stage

Rising stream levels will result in flooding areas adjacent to the affected streams. Anyone near the river should take appropriate measures to avoid flood damage and injury.

Pay attention to Town information on the website and social media and listen for advice on actions required to protect yourself, your family, your pets and your home.

Friday, June 30

• Upcoming rain will not impact the Highwood River
  • The current flow is 6.3 cubic meters per second, below the normal range for this time of year.
• Minimal precipitation is forecasted.
  • Weather forecasts show potential rainfall in the coming days.
  • Based on the below-average river flows and the recent dry conditions, the river may rise slightly but not enough to anticipate any high stream flow advisories.

The Emergency Management team will continue to monitor conditions.

Friday, June 23, 2023

• Changes to the snowpack.
  • Snowpack has increased this week from 0 MM to 4.74 MM of snow water equivalent. There is no concern for river flows with the recent snow in the river basin.
• Recent rain will not impact the Highwood River.
  • The current flow is 8.6 cubic meters per second. Below the normal range of 20 and 58 cubic meters per second for this time of year.
• Minimal precipitation is forecasted.
  • Weather forecasts show potential thunderstorms on Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24, with no precipitation for next week.
  • Based on the below-average river flows and the recent dry conditions, the river may rise slightly but not enough to anticipate any high stream flow advisories.

The Emergency Management team will continue to monitor conditions.

Friday, June 16, 2023

• Snowpack in our river basin has now melted away.
  • The annual snowmelt is complete, with little to no snow remaining. The river flows below average for this time of year.
• Decrease in river flow
  • The current flow is 11.7 cubic meters per second,
  • Below the normal range of 25 to 65 cubic meters per second for this time of year.
• Minimal precipitation forecasted
  • The forecast for the weekend and next week anticipates some rainfall, with winds gusting up to 20 km/h.
  • Based on the below-average river flows and the recent dry conditions, the river may rise slightly but not enough to anticipate any high stream flow advisories.

The Emergency Management team will continue to monitor conditions.

Friday, June 19, 2023

• Snowpack in our river basin has now melted away.
  • The annual snowmelt is complete, with little to no snow remaining. The river flows below average for this time of year.
• Decrease in river flow
  • The current flow is 12.6 cubic meters per second,
  • Below the normal range of 28 to 60 cubic meters per second for this time of year.
• Minimal precipitation forecasted
  • The forecast for the weekend and next week anticipates some rainfall with amounts totalling 30-50mm.
  • Based on the below-average river flows and the recent dry conditions, the river may rise slightly but not enough to anticipate any high stream flow advisories.

The Emergency Management team will continue to monitor conditions.

Friday, June 2, 2023

• Snowpack in our river basin has now melted away.
  • With no additional snow melt, the river flows below average for this time of year.
• Decrease in river flow
  • The current flow is 17 cubic meters per second,
  • Below the normal range of 27 to 67 cubic meters per second
• Minimal precipitation forecasted
  • The forecast shows a small amount of precipitation on Monday, June 5.
  • No other precipitation in the next seven days.

Friday, May 26, 2023

The snowpack has considerably reduced with the recent warm weather conditions the area has experienced the past week.

• Snowpack below normal
  • The current snowpack is at 12.31mm of snow/water equivalent, below the normal range for this time of year.
  • Normal ranges are between 425mm and 175mm of snow/water equivalent.
• Decrease in river water level and flow
  • With the reduction in snowpack, the river water level and flow have also begun to drop.
  • The flow currently sits around 18 cubic meters per second, and the level is at 1.35 meters.
    • Normal flow ranges are between 50 and 22 cubic meters per second.
• Forecasted rain is not expected to impact river levels or flows
  • The weather forecast shows the possibility of rain showers on Saturday and possibly during the week. It is not anticipated that the rainfall amounts will impact river levels or flows.

June 24, 2022:

The High Stream Flow Advisory has ended for the Highwood River, and flow rates have continued to decrease since last week. Current flow rates remain slightly above average at 63 Cubic Meters Per Second. With the warmer weather and some precipitation, the snowpack continues to reduce. However, the snowpack remains above average for this time of year. Rain is expected to continue today, June 24, with the weather clearing over the weekend. No significant increases in river flows are expected at this time. Protective Services staff will continue to monitor the snow melt and river conditions. Residents will be advised of any updates. Please follow the Town's website and social media for continued updates as river monitoring continues.

June 10, 2022:

Over the past week, with the rains and higher temperatures, we have seen a significant reduction in the snowpack. However, it remains slightly above normal for this time of year. A slight increase is observed in the river flows based on recent rainfall and snow melt in the Bow River Basin. The Highwood River is now flowing at a lower level than normal for this time of year. Over the next few days, we expect a small weather system to enter our area from BC. Forecasted is approximately 35 MM of precipitation. There are currently no concerns about significant river level increases.

June 3, 2022:

With the onset of warmer weather, there has been a significant reduction in the snowpack. The snowpack remains slightly above normal; over the week, we have seen a reduction of approximately 75mm of equivalent snow water. A weather system is expected to bring in between 20-30mm of rain between Saturday and Monday. The Highwood River has shown a small increase in flow, given the melt of the snowpack. However, our flow still remains below normal for this time of year.

May 27, 2022:

The snowpack remains above average. This week, there has been a reduction in the snowpack of approximately 50 mm of equivalent snow water. The Highwood River continues to flow below average for this time of year. Forecasts are calling for scattered showers over the weekend with minimal precipitation accumulation. There has been no precipitation in the basin over the past 48 hours.

May 20, 2022:

The snowpack remains slightly above normal ranges for this time of year. There was a snowpack drop of about 40-50 mm, equivalent to snow water. Currently, the Highwood River is in a low-stream advisory state, with a below-average flow below the canal. We saw rainfall amounts between 3 - 16 mm in our river basin. Forecasts indicate no significant precipitation is expected over the long weekend and next week.

May 13, 2022:

The snowpack remains slightly above normal for this time of year. Some melting of the snowpack has occurred with the warmer temperatures observed last week. Some new snowfall was noted from the recent snowstorm, which occurred May 9th; this equated to approximately 20 MM snow water equivalent in our basin. The flow in the Highwood River remains below the average for this time of year. Later in the week, some precipitation is forecasted. However, no significant precipitation is expected.

May 5, 2022:

Alberta’s mountain snowpack is slightly above normal, and it is beginning to melt and decrease with the warmer temperatures. Rain is expected over the next few days. However, there should be no significant changes to river levels. In fact, river flows are slightly below normal for this time of year.

April 29, 2022:

Town Monitoring Snowpack Melt Closely – No Concerns at Present

Alberta Environment and Parks has many river monitoring stations on their Rivers Alberta website. The Town focuses on those set up for the Highwood River Basin.

The stations monitored by the Town of High River are chosen because they provide the most relevant and timely data regarding the volume and flow as the river approaches the Town.

Data available includes daily real time information about:

• Snowpack and snowmelt information predicted by teams of experts who set stations up in the mountains at the river’s source
• Stream flow and volume as it passes by these stations

Staff also monitor temperatures and precipitation to anticipate potential impacts on the stream volume and flow. This monitoring data is available publicly and is shared with residents. High River staff monitor the river until the end of June.

Key Monitoring Stations: Highwood River

• Stimpson Creek near Pekisko
• Highwood River at Diebel’s Ranch
• Trap Creek near Longview
• Pekisko Creek new Longview
• Highwood Diversion Canal near the Headgates
• High River Below Little Bow Canal

Monitoring Data (examples)

If there are High Stream Flow Advisories, the area on the Rivers Alberta Map will be shown in yellow. Select the yellow bar and see a forecast link with additional information.

• Normal Range is shown in the grey bar
• Blue shows the highest recorded flow on these dates
• Red shows the current levels
• On May 6, 2022, at 8:18 AM, levels are shown below the normal flow (grey bar)