Congratulations on choosing to leap in and join  the cold and fast-moving upper reaches of the Bow River! This section of the River begins at Bow Glacier and Bow Lake, and is formed in part by the many streams that flow down the Rocky Mountains.

The upper section of the Bow River runs through several National and Provincial parks. The location you are in is a protected area that supports a healthy ecosystem comprised of plants and animals, and where many of the activities that could contaminate the water are restricted. Despite the high water quality, some substances substances are picked up as water flows off of plants and over the ground, including:

• Sediment
• Animals feces (bacteria, viruses, and parasites)
• Wildfire ash, metals, dissolved organic carbon, and debris 
• Recreational-linked contaminants from activities such as camping and driving Off Highway Vehicles 

You can learn more about the contaminants you might pick up in the upper area of the Bow River here.