Bow River at Cochrane
Water level and flow at gauge 05BH005, Alberta. The flow is well below normal for October (73% of the median). In the last 24 hours it has been steady.
Latest reading Oct 25, 6 AM local standard time (3 hours ago) · data checked · we check every 30 minutes
Compared with a normal October
Normal for October (middle half of 18 years of monthly averages): 53.9 m³/s1,903 cfs – 73.4 m³/s2,591 cfs, median 61.4 m³/s2,167 cfs. Right now it is at 73% of the median.
June 22, 2013 · approved records 2006–2024 (HYDAT). Right now the flow is 3% of that record.
Last 30 days
Hourly readings · shaded: normal range for this month
This year compared with past years
Daily flow
Normal range: monthly averages of 17 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 near noon then cloudy. Wind becoming southeast 20 km/h late this morning. High plus 1. Wind chill minus 9 this morning. UV index 1 or low.
Mainly cloudy. Wind southeast 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low minus 7. Wind chill minus 7 this evening and minus 13 overnight.
A mix of sun and cloud. Becoming cloudy in the afternoon. Wind becoming southeast 20 km/h near noon. High 6. Wind chill minus 13 in the morning. UV index 1 or low.
Cloudy. Low minus 4.
Forecast for Cochrane (2 km away) from Environment and Climate Change Canada, issued . Full official forecast ↗ · we check for new forecasts every 2 hours.
Nearby gauges
| Jumpingpound CreekTownship Road No. 252 · 9 km | 2.44 m8.00 ft | Normal |
| West Nose CreekCalgary · 23 km | 5.43 m17.81 ft | Normal |
| Elbow RiverBragg Creek · 26 km | 0.90 m2.96 ft | Normal |
| Waiparous CreekThe Mouth · 29 km | 0.74 m2.42 ft | Normal |
| Elbow RiverSarcee Bridge · 29 km | 3.67 m12.05 ft | Normal |
| Elbow RiverBelow Glenmore Dam · 32 km | 0.64 m2.11 ft | Normal |
About this gauge
Station: 05BH005 · Bow River Near Cochrane
Location: 51.1737, -114.4664 · Alberta
Same river: Lake Louise, Banff, Calgary, 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 Cochrane today?
The latest reading (Oct 25, 6 AM, local standard time) is 16.24 m (53.29 ft) with a flow of 45.0 m³/s (1,589 cfs).
Is the Bow River at Cochrane high right now?
The flow is well below normal for October (73% 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 Cochrane?
1,650 m³/s (58,269 cfs) on June 22, 2013, the highest instantaneous flow in the approved records of the Water Survey of Canada (2006–2024). Events after 2024 are not yet in the approved archive.
Where does this data come from?
Gauge 05BH005 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.