Canmore is warning residents and visitors to be extra careful on the Bow River after emergency crews pulled eight people from the water in less than 24 hours on July 7 and 8, 2026.
The rescues happened near a popular paddling spot close to the Engine Bridge. In one case, three kayakers had to be lifted by an Alpine Helicopters helicopter after strong currents pushed them into a logjam and pulled them underwater.
According to Kananaskis Mountain Rescue, every person rescued was wearing a personal floatation device. Team leader Jeremy Mackenzie said that without those life-jackets, the outcomes could have been much worse.
Mackenzie explained that June flooding has completely changed the river. Heavy rain and melting snowpack have shifted channels, moved rocks, and left dangerous debris in the water. Even paddlers who have gone down the same route for 20 years are finding they do not recognize the conditions.
The Town of Canmore says streamflows have returned to normal conditions since the heavy rainfall, but officials still urge caution around waterways. Altered river channels, submerged obstacles, and extremely cold water continue to pose risks for recreational users.
Rescue officials want people to remember the 1-10-1 rule for cold water: one minute to get your breathing under control, ten minutes of useful movement before your body starts to shut down, and up to one hour of survival time if you are wearing a life-jacket. They also recommend scouting the river before getting in.
Hidden dangers called strainers and sweepers, which are trees or debris just below the surface, have become a bigger problem after the floods. These can trap both people and boats in fast-moving current.
One person was taken to hospital in non-life-threatening condition. From 2017 to 2025, Parks Canada recorded 26 water rescues on the Bow River, while Kananaskis Mountain Rescue was part of 34 more.
