Bow River at Banff
Water level and flow at gauge 05BB001, Alberta. The flow is well below normal for October (70% of the median). In the last 24 hours it has been steady.
Latest reading Oct 25, 5 AM local standard time (2 hours ago) · data checked · we check every 30 minutes
Compared with a normal October
Normal for October (middle half of 117 years of monthly averages): 20.4 m³/s720 cfs – 26.8 m³/s946 cfs, median 22.7 m³/s802 cfs. Right now it is at 70% of the median.
June 21, 2013 · approved records 1923–2025 (HYDAT). Right now the flow is 3% of that record.
6% higher than on October 25, 2025 (15.0 m³/s530 cfs)
approved daily mean (HYDAT)
Last 30 days
Hourly readings · shaded: normal range for this month
This year compared with past years
Daily flow
Normal range: monthly averages of 115 years (lighter band: 10th–90th percentile). Past years: approved daily means from HYDAT, the Water Survey of Canada archive (the latest year published is 2025). 2026: daily means of the provisional real-time readings collected by Canada River Levels since October 22, 2026.
Weather near this gauge
Periods of light snow ending early this morning then mainly cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries. Wind up to 15 km/h. High plus 1. Wind chill minus 9 this morning. UV index 1 or low.
Partly cloudy. Wind up to 15 km/h. Low minus 6. Wind chill near minus 8.
Mainly sunny. Increasing cloudiness in the afternoon. Wind up to 15 km/h. High 7. Wind chill minus 8 in the morning. UV index 1 or low.
Cloudy periods. Low minus 2.
Forecast for Banff (1 km away) from Environment and Climate Change Canada, issued . Full official forecast ↗ · we check for new forecasts every 2 hours.
Nearby gauges
| Spray RiverBanff · 2 km | 0.99 m3.26 ft | Normal |
| Kootenay RiverKootenay Crossing · 46 km | 0.22 m0.72 ft | Very low |
| Ghost RiverAbove Waiparous Creek · 46 km | 0.72 m2.37 ft | Normal |
| Jumpingpound CreekCox Hill · 48 km | 0.28 m0.93 ft | Below normal |
| Pipestone RiverLake Louise · 51 km | 0.53 m1.73 ft | Very low |
| Bow RiverLake Louise · 52 km | 1.12 m3.66 ft | Very low |
About this gauge
Station: 05BB001 · Bow River at Banff
Location: 51.1722, -115.5718 · Alberta
Same river: Lake Louise, Calgary, Cochrane, Below Carseland Dam, Below Bassano Dam, The Mouth
Water levels are measured from a local reference point at each gauge, not from sea level, so they cannot be compared between gauges.
Official sources
For flood warnings, advisories and approved data, always use these official services:
Questions
What is the water level of the Bow River at Banff today?
The latest reading (Oct 25, 5 AM, local standard time) is 1.96 m (6.44 ft) with a flow of 15.9 m³/s (562 cfs).
Is the Bow River at Banff high right now?
The flow is well below normal for October (70% of the median).
Is the Bow River rising or falling?
In the last 24 hours it has been steady.
What is the highest flow ever recorded on the Bow River at Banff?
506 m³/s (17,869 cfs) on June 21, 2013, the highest instantaneous flow in the approved records of the Water Survey of Canada (1923–2025). Events after 2025 are not yet in the approved archive.
How does the Bow River at Banff compare with a year ago?
The flow is 6% higher than on October 25, 2025 (15.0 m³/s (530 cfs), approved daily mean (HYDAT)).
Where does this data come from?
Gauge 05BB001 of the Water Survey of Canada (Environment and Climate Change Canada). Real-time data are provisional and may be revised. We check for new readings every 30 minutes. Canada River Levels is not an official source.