New Flow for Bow River
First Significant Alteration
The very famous Bow River (meaning
'river where bow reeds grow' in Makhabn) that runs through the city of Calgary
begins in the Rocky Mountains. It first winds around the foothills and onto the
prairies. The Bow takes in the Elbow River at the historic site of Fort Calgary
near downtown. Between 1910 and 1960 The Bow was engineered to provide
hydroelectric power for Calgary which significantly altered the river's flow
and certain ecosystems. It is now considered an important source for irrigation
and drinking water.Flood Alteration Horror Story
For the fishing guides in Calgary the floods last year were a horror story. These fishing guides take thousands of visitors from all over the world floating down the Bow River each summer. They know the Alberta river system better than most and count on them to make a living. They watched as the severe flooding changed the Bow River and put their livelihoods in jeopardy.
This Year Different
As another spring approaches the city's largest river, it means the start of another fly-fishing season for Kevin Peterson. He has been floating the waters for over 20 years but this year will be different. Peterson says, "There is a lot of it that has changed, you know, a tremendous amount since the flood."
Boat Launch Moved 60 Metres
As an example of the extreme change, one local boat launch is at least 60 metres farther east. Now gravel sits where water once flowed. "The day that the flood happened, looking at the river, we had no idea what to expect…whether we would get a guide season last year [and] what the river would look like afterwards," said Peterson.
Huge Changes to Economic Spinoff
Damages from the rushing
floodwaters of the Bow River can still be seen along the banks today. Peterson
says, "It's amazing the volume of earth that has been moved." There
have been some attempts to repair it. When fishing is how you make your
living, change and overcoming obstacles isn't easy. The 'steady stream' of
tourists who come to fish the river also buy gas, food and stay
in hotels. Questions regarding the economy of fishing remain as Peterson
dropped his boat into the water for the first time this season, the once
familiar waters now uncharted.
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