| Elbow River | |
|---|---|
 Elbow River in Calgary |
|
| Origin | Elbow Lake, Elbow Pass, Kananaskis Country 50°38′32″N 115°00′22″W / 50.64219°N 115.00604°W |
| Mouth | Bow River 51°02′43″N 114°02′29″W / 51.04519°N 114.04126°W |
| Basin countries |  Canada |
| Length | 120 km (75 mi)[1] |
| Source elevation | 2,100 m (6,890 ft) |
| Mouth elevation | 1,040 m (3,412 ft) |
| Basin area | +1,200 km2 (463.3 sq mi)[1] |
The Elbow River is a river located in southern Alberta, Canada. It flows from the Canadian Rockies to the city of Calgary, where it merges into the Bow River.
The Elbow River is popular among canoers, rafters, campers and hikers and runs through several features including Allen Bill Pond, Forgetmenot Pond, and Elbow Falls.
The water flow of the Elbow River fluctuates significantly, and in June 2005 a flood occurred that was so severe (the heaviest in at least two centuries according to Albertan Government estimates) that the water flowed over the dam. Approximately 1,500 Calgarians living downstream needed to be evacuated.[2]
Contents |
The Elbow River originates from Elbow Lake in the Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park in the Canadian Rockies, then continues through the Rocky Mountain foothills and flows into the hamlet of Bragg Creek. The Elbow River passes under Highway 22 and then travels through the rural community of Springbank and the Tsuu T'ina Nation 145 Indian reserve directly west of Calgary. The river enters the City of Calgary at the Weaselhead Flats, an artificial inland delta, and into the Glenmore Reservoir, one of Calgary's two chief sources of drinking water. From there, it flows northward through residential communities towards the city centre, is crossed by Macleod Trail, passes the Calgary Stampede grounds and finally joins the Bow River west of the Calgary Zoo.
Fort Calgary (the Northwest Mounted Police post established in 1873 around which settlement in the Calgary area began) was located at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers.
The river has a total length of 120 kilometers (75 mi), and drains an area of over 1,200 square kilometers (463.3 sq mi).[1] From its origin in the Elbow Pass at approximately 2,100 meters (6,890 ft), it drops 1,060 meters (3,478 ft) at a 1% slope to its mouth at the Bow River, situated at an altitude of 1,040 m (3,412 ft).
 Upper course in the Elbow Pass |
 Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary |
 Confluence with Bow River |
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  | 2005 Flood Report - The City of Calgary: 2005 Flood Report |
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