The City of Calgary’s Flood Response Plan was developed in the wake of a severe “1 in 200” year flood in June 2005. The average rainfall for a Calgary June is 79.8 mm - in 2005, 247.6 mm fell. The Bow and Elbow Rivers engorged more than ten times their usual volumes, pouring over the banks and leaving the landscape significantly damaged. Calgary declared an official state of emergency as the floodwaters washed out parks and roads, and destroyed sewers, bridges and other infrastructure.
The purpose of the Response plan was to develop a strategy to manage the restoration and reconstruction of the damaged areas. Calgary Parks assembled a Flood Damage Assessment Team, with the direction to review, identify and provide a preliminary assessment of the damages.
