TAMING THE BOW RIVER "DROWNING MACHINE"
Posted on 18 December 2008 by Markham Hislop.
Not everyone heeds warning of "the drowning machine"
A century-old Calgary landmark is getting a facelift. Heavy equipment is busy working on the Bow River weir, site of a number of fatalities over the years and an environmental hazard for fish and other aquatic life. The project is called the Harvie Passage Calgary Bow River Weir Project.
Click here to view the group’s web site, which provides more detailed information on the weir and the modifications underway.
Ever wonder how the weir works? You’re not alone. Jim Webber, general manager of the Western Irrigation District, says most people don’t understand its purpose in the river.
“The weir was built at the turn of the century, about 1908, and it was built for the purpose of feeding an irrigation canal system that went across to Strathmore and fed what is known as the Western Irrigation District. It was built by CPR and it was part of how this area was developed as an agricultural community.”
“The weir was built at the turn of the century, about 1908, and it was built for the purpose of feeding an irrigation canal system that went across to Strathmore and fed what is known as the Western Irrigation District. It was built by CPR and it was part of how this area was developed as an agricultural community.”
The weir is a concrete wall with two sluice gates, at one end, that are closed May 1. The water builds up and flows over the weir during the summer months. The “head raise” is enough to fill the irrigation canal. Water flows by means of gravity to Gleishen and Clooney, just under 100 kilometres. The canal also feed Chestermere Lake.
“Most people are probably familiar with Chestermere Lake, but didn’t know where the water came from, but it comes from that same weir source.”
The water irrigates 95,000 acres of forage crops and supports a number of cattle operations. Farmers also grow some canola and grains, as well.
“The trouble is when water drops over a vertical-faced weir like that, it tumbles and circulates. That’s what they call it the ‘drowning machine.’ Once you get into that tumble it’s very hard to get out. If you’re most unfortunate to go over it in a boat your chances of survival are pretty slim.”
In spite of the warning signs and booms across the river, boaters and rafters do, occasionally, make their way to the weir. Click here to read the Calgary Herald’s story, which includes information on people who have drowned in the river because of the weir.
The weir has been a safety issue for many years, says Ald. Joe Ceci, especially “for people who miss or don’t believe the warning and the barriers in place. Only very few have survived going over the weir.”
Ald. Ceci says that similar types of weirs in other locations have been modified long ago and the Bow River weir was overdue. The charge to modify the weir is being led by a volunteer group. They contacted Ald. Ceci and City officials and lobbied for changes. The City put up $3 million and the rest was provided by other organizations. Ensuring the funding was in place to start the $17 million project caused some delays. It appears now that construction won’t be complete until summer of 2011. Work can only take place during short periods because of potential damage to fish and wildlife habitat.
Another benefit of the project is that making the weir safe will allow water and river enthusiasts to enjoy the Bow River even more than they now do. It will bring them “down through that area and provide a lot more activity for people who are interested in that sort of thing and eliminate the drowning hazard.”
Location where body of Cyrstal Marie Larocque was discovered
