dam news unDAM the Bow River It has been almost 100 years since the Bow River has flowed freely


through the City of Calgary. Since 1907, a weir to divert water for irriga- tion has blocked passage on the Bow. The current structure was built in 1975. It creates a deadly recirculating hydraulic that has claimed sever- al lives. Bow Waters Canoe Club hopes to change all that. Bow Waters and a long list of other concerned citizens, with help from expert consult- ants specializing in design of whitewater recreational facili- ties, completed a feasibility study in 2001 describing sev- eral ways the weir could be modified while maintaining the primary function of diverting water into the irrigation canal. There are several alternatives, but the preferred option is a full width rapid. This would involve significant reconstruction of the existing structure and would preserve the key func- tion of diverting water into the irrigation canal.


The proponents met with the Minister of the Environment and he


agreed to ask his department, who own and operate the weir, to lead the next phase of engineering design if interested parties raise the money for the study. A team of engineering consultants has been selected. The team includes Gary Lacy, a well-known whitewater recre- ation designer from Boulder, Colorado. Fund raising efforts are close to the goal and the design study is to be completed by the end of 2002.


Many people use the Bow River for paddling, fishing or relaxing in the adjacent parks. The proposed rapid will be mild enough for most paddlers, con- sisting of small waves and eddies for lessons and practis- ing.


—Howard Heffler hheffler@shaw.ca.


photo > Howard Heffler


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