Calgary River Users Alliance

The Calgary Rivers Users’ Alliance (CRUA) was formed to improve recreational, non-motorized boating access to the Bow and Elbow Rivers in Calgary.

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Latest News

- Heritage Drive Flood Barrier Construction will Start This Spring
  April 23, 2019NewsThe construction of a new flood barrier along Heritage Drive adjacent to the Graves Bridge parking lot in underway. Access to the boat ramp will not be restricted during the construction, but the parking lot may get congested with equipment. As the project get underway discussion will take place regarding truck/trailer parking allocations. The following is the communication from the Project Manager for the City of Calgary. We will keep in touch with the City of Calgary as the project rolls out. Construction activities have now begun on the three components to this project. They include: Construction of a flood barrier on the east side of the Heritage Drive / 13 Street S.E. ramp to Glenmore Trail to the 100 year flood level. The flood barrier will consist of a sheetpile wall structure with a decorative façade in the form of gabion rock cladding. Construction of a regional pathway from the existing parking lot beneath Graves Bridge to the end of the proposed multi-use pathway that is to be constructed as part of the Bonnybrook Waste WTP upgrade project. The pathway will also function as a flood barrier to provide flood protection to local businesses east of Deerfoot Trail S.E. adjacent to the riverbank. Bioengineering along about half-a-kilometre of riverbank (west side of Bow River) to stabilize against further erosion and loss of land and maintain the regional pathway. Once completed—anticipated for late 2019—the constructed flood barrier will ensure that Heritage Drive S.E. remains passable during Bow River flood events up to the 100-year flood. This will help reduce disruption to traffic and maintain access for emergency responders. The project will also provide the last segment of a regional pathway on the west bank of the Bow River extending from downtown to south city limits. The impacts of this project include periodic single lane closures on Heritage Drive to facilitate construction activities. Throughout construction, access to the river parking area will be maintained via one of the two existing access points. The easternmost smaller access off Heritage Drive underneath Graves Bridge will be permanently closed as part of this project, however, the larger westernmost access off Heritage Drive will remain unchanged. The project team is committed to minimizing any access impact to the area, and will update the project website with detour info when required. http://www.calgary.ca/Transportation/TI/Pages/Pedestrian-bridges/Heritage-Drive-SE-flood-barrier.aspx Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this project. The City of Calgary – Transportation Infrastructure...
- Bow River Access Update – March 2019
  March 20, 2019NewsAs we move into the spring, river users will hopefully see new and updated boat ramp developments taking place within and downstream of Calgary. The City will probably be undertaking the following projects this year as a part of the Calgary River Access Strategy: the improved boat ramp facility at West Baker Park for all types of boats. the temporary access at Shouldice Park for all types of boats. the start of the new designated river access site at Ogden Bridge. Unfortunately, the City will not be undertaking the following projects until 2020 at the earliest: the new hand launch at Sunnyside that will be integrated into the city’s Sunnyside flood barrier in 2020-21 a new access road to the boat ramp at the outflow of Harvie Passage Low Water Channel the new boat ramp facility at Inglewood, which has been postponed indefinitely pending completion of the other Priority 1 site developments. CRUA believes that the planned facility at Inglewood is a critical access point that would offer a safe take-out site above Harvie Passage, and should not be delayed. We believe it is vital to look at an alternative site across the river on St. Patrick’s Island. CRUA has met with Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) to discuss the possibility of adding a boat ramp to St. Patrick’s Island adjacent to the Calgary Zoo – see attached St. Patrick’s Island River Access Proposal for details. CMLC was very receptive to this proposal in principal and they appear to be seriously considering making the improvements this spring. Finally, it is unfortunate that the status of the City’s planned riverbank signs is uncertain at this time. These signs are intended to identify and promote the boat ramps and hand launches along both rivers....

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Calgary River Access Website

Map of Boat Launches in Calgary

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