As the June sun climbs higher over Calgary’s cityscape, the season’s first heatwave has already sent residents flocking to the Bow and Elbow rivers. The glistening waters offer a tempting respite from temperatures pushing 30 degrees. But beneath those refreshing currents lies a danger that Calgary’s emergency services know all too well.
“We’ve responded to 12 water rescues since May 1st,” Carol Henke, public information officer with the Calgary Fire Department, told me during a riverside safety demonstration yesterday. “That’s nearly double what we typically see this early in the season.”
Standing along the Bow River’s edge near Prince’s Island Park, Henke pointed to deceptively calm-looking sections where underwater currents can quickly overwhelm even experienced swimmers. The juxtaposition was striking – families picnicking nearby while firefighters demonstrated swift water rescue techniques.
Calgary’s rivers present a perfect storm of hazards this time of year. The mountain snowmelt creates stronger currents, while floating debris from spring runoff lurks beneath the surface. And with record attendance at city parks following pandemic restrictions, more Calgarians than ever are taking to the water.
Data from Alberta Health Services shows drowning incidents in the province have increased 17% compared to the five-year average. Dr. Eddy Lang, head of emergency medicine for AHS Calgary Zone, attributes this partly to what he calls “pandemic skill atrophy.”
“We’re seeing people whose swimming abilities may have diminished during facility closures now returning to open water,” Lang explained. “Combined with the natural desire to cool off during hot weather, it creates significant risk.”
The city’s rescue teams have been particularly concerned about the popular river floating activity. Last weekend alone, four separate incidents involved rafters who became stranded on river islands or thrown from their inflatables.
“People underestimate how quickly river conditions can change,” said Constable Mike Devaney of the Calgary Police Service Marine Unit. “A section that was calm during morning patrol can become dangerous by afternoon as mountain runoff increases with temperature.”
The rescue surge isn’t limited to the rivers. At Sikome Lake in Fish Creek Provincial Park, lifeguards have already performed 23 assists this season – interventions that potentially prevented more serious incidents.
City officials have responded by increasing patrols and launching an expanded water safety campaign. New signage in five languages now appears at popular river access points, and the Fire Department has partnered with community associations to distribute free life jackets through their “Kids Don’t Float” program.
These efforts come after the particularly tragic summer of 2023, when Calgary saw five drowning deaths in natural waterways. The youngest victim was just seven years old.
Samantha Tran, whose family immigrated from Vietnam three years ago, volunteers with the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association to translate water safety information. At a recent community workshop, she shared a personal connection to the cause.
“In our home country, my cousin drowned because nobody knew basic water rescue,” Tran said, her voice catching slightly. “Here in Calgary, we have these beautiful rivers, but many newcomers don’t understand the specific dangers of cold, fast-moving water.”
The city’s community outreach seems to be making a difference in immigrant communities. According to program enrollment data, participation in subsidized swimming lessons has increased 32% among new Canadians compared to 2022.
Beyond the human toll, water rescues strain emergency resources. Each river incident typically involves multiple fire apparatus, rescue boats, police units, and sometimes STARS air ambulance – resources diverted from other emergencies.
Calgary’s 2024 municipal budget allocated an additional $1.2 million toward water safety initiatives, including the purchase of two new rescue boats and expanded lifeguard training.
“It’s an investment that saves lives,” Councillor Kourtney Penner told me at City Hall. “But the most effective prevention doesn’t cost a dime – it’s people making smart decisions before entering the water.”
Fire Department safety officials recommend several precautions: wear properly fitted life jackets, avoid alcohol near water, supervise children constantly, check river flow rates before heading out, and always float with companions.
For those determined to cool off in natural waters, officials suggest the designated swimming area at Sikome Lake as a safer alternative to the rivers. The lake is monitored by lifeguards during operating hours, with consistent depth and no currents.
As temperatures continue climbing toward what meteorologists predict will be a hotter-than-average summer, emergency officials are bracing for more rescues. But they hope increased awareness will help stem the tide.
“Most river incidents are preventable,” Henke emphasized as we watched a rescue boat patrol near the 10th Street bridge. “We want Calgarians to enjoy our waterways – just safely and responsibly.”
As families continue spreading blankets along Calgary’s riverbanks this weekend, those words deserve serious consideration. The rivers that define our city’s landscape offer boundless recreation, but respect for their power might be the difference between a perfect summer day and a preventable tragedy.
