The recent rain showers have allowed the drastically low river levels to rise, which is good news for local whitewater rafting businesses.
The Red Deer River, which was at 25 cubic metres per second in mid-July, was well over 120 near the end of the month.
“It's the best it has been for a couple of years,” said David Todd, the owner of Otter Rafting Adventures for 35 years.
Kelly Beaton, Hunter Valley Adventures co-owner and guide, also expressed enthusiasm about the increased water levels.
“The recent rainfall was extremely welcome and made, and continues to make, rafting on the upper Red Deer River an outstanding experience,” Beaton said. “As of now, water levels are still above the seasonal average.”
Red Deer River gets about half its water from melted snow in the mountains. Rain provides the other half, though it needs to rain primarily in the mountains to make much of a difference.
But due to dry weather in the spring and an abnormally warm winter, river levels in June were significantly lower than they should have been, levels usually typical of mid-August.
“The low water levels can make the season shorter and require us to modify the trips we run, such to avoid impassable areas of the river,” Beaton said. “There are safety concerns at all water levels. However, we pride ourselves on diligently responding to changes in the river.”
She said as well, however, that changing water conditions often make whitewater rafting more exciting and challenging.
Otter Rafting Adventures was also able to operate, even when the river was at 15 cubic metres per second, but they would have had to shut down their operations if it went any lower.
Todd said the low river levels had negatively affected his business, getting around 50 per cent less customers than usual.
“Most people knew there wasn't snow. They didn't have to shovel the driveway once.”
However, because of the recent rain showers, the river is now at levels typical of May, and customers are coming back to Otter Rafting Adventures.
River levels are expected to drop slowly throughout the season but will remain high and may even go back up if more rain comes along.
“The amount of rainfall we get in the Red Deer River Basin coupled with the level of glacial melt will dictate whether or not we continue to see above seasonal water levels,” Beaton said.
"The recent rainfall was extremely welcome and made, and continues to make, rafting on the upper Red Deer River an outstanding experience."Kelly BeatonHunter Valley Adventures co-owner
