Follow the Drop – Upper Bow River
Upper Bow River
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.
Definition
Substances: A material with particular properties.
Dissolved organic carbon: Organic matter that can pass through a filter, most often 0.45 micrometers (µm)
Where next?
As you float down the Bow River, you will encounter several hydro electric power generation stations. You will also pass through several municipalities that draw water from the River, including Banff, Canmore, Cochrane, and Calgary. Agriculture is also plentiful in the area, and you will see large numbers of livestock that are given water from the Bow River to drink. You need to choose which option to explore! Will it be a municipality, a hydro power station, or an agricultural feed lot?
References and Further Reading
- Calgary River Forum Society. (2012). Get to know the Bow River. Retrieved from http://calgaryrivervalleys.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Get-to-Know-the-Bow-River-second-edition-2014.pdf
- Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. (2015, February 9). The Upper Bow River Basin: Our Watershed’s Future [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkYTtK3o9bk
- Alberta WaterPortal. (2015). Retrieved May 20, 2020, from https://albertawater.com/nexus/converging-factors-affecting-the-bow-river-basin
