Common Questions about Rivers

How can I find out about the water quality of a river?
As for lakes, Alberta Environment regularly tests river water quality on a number of rivers and streams across the province, and all data are archived into a Water Database System. The department also partners with industries, municipalities and stewardship groups on many studies. If you would like to obtain basic water quality data for a specific river or stream, contact swq.requests@gov.ab.ca. If you would like to discuss any issues or concerns you may have regarding the river or stream, contact us
at AENV-Web.SWQ@gov.ab.ca.

Where can I get river flow data?
The measurement of water in Alberta is done through the operation of a variety of water data collection networks: hydrometric, snow survey, meteorological, telemetry, groundwater and water quality. Click here for more information on river flow data.

Is the water quality in the river safe for swimming?
This is a difficult question to answer with certainty. Although Alberta is making good progress in treating industrial and municipal wastes, particularly in large urban areas, there will always be some degree of uncertainty caused by the potential presence of untreated wastes (for example, storm sewer outflows). In pristine areas the risk is likely less, and this pattern tends to be borne out by the results of water quality testing. However, no agency has complete or continuous information on all rivers, and so you as an individual must assume all risk for any decisions taken. Check with your Regional Health Authority to find out if immunization shots are recommended for your area.

Is it safe to drink water from the river?
It has been long advocated that you do not drink untreated surface water anywhere in Alberta (or elsewhere in Canada). Although many waters may appear "pristine", they may still contain natural chemicals or organisms that could make you ill. Again, check with your Regional Health Authority to find out the best methods for dealing with your drinking water needs if you are planning to spend time in remote areas. Several methods are available, visit the RHA website. Municipal water treatment plants evaluate treated river water against Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines to determine whether the water is 'safe to drink'.

Is it safe to canoe on the river?
Canoeing on the river can be limited by a number of factors, including high flows, low flows, current, severe weather events, and time of year. For further information on flow advisories click here. For detailed information on rapids, travel times, access points, etc. contact your local canoe or kayak club.

Is it safe to snowmobile or ski on frozen rivers during winter?
River currents are continuously changing under ice as winter progresses, and as various sections freeze and thaw. The thickness of river ice is therefore highly unpredictable. We recommend that you avoid this dangerous environment as much as possible.

Are "real time" water quality data available?
The term "real time" refers to information collected in the field and transmitted almost instantly through the use of advanced electronic instrumentation coupled with satellite communications technology. Each year a certain number of river locations in Alberta are monitored using this approach, however the technology is only developed to allow a few basic characteristics to be measured. The primary characteristics reported are: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity. Click here for real time data available on the Highwood River (during summer) and on the Athabasca River (during winter.)

Is it safe to eat fish from the river?
As with lakes, limited data are available to define contaminant levels in river fish tissue. Check the annual Alberta Guide to Sport Fishing Regulations for a listing of consumption advisories.