Calgary Glenmore Reservoir
The southwest region of Calgary is home to the Glenmore Reservoir and is well worth a visit. The region received its name from Sam Livingston, who was a wealthy landowner in the area. He gave it the name Glenmore which in Gaelic means “big valley.”
It is a man-made reservoir that holds water from the Elbow River and supplies much of Calgary with drinking water, but it is so much more! The area consists of over 15 kilometers of parks, forest, paths, and trails that encircle the reservoir with a wide variety of activities for all ages. There is an opportunity for learning as the area is steeped in history and many programs to teach and showcase the beauty of the natural surroundings.
South Glenmore Park is home to Weaselhead Natural Area, Glenmore Sailing School, Variety Spray Park, numerous trails, a polo field, tennis courts, cross country skiing, biking trails, and a picnic area. North Glenmore Park includes: the Calgary Rowing Club, The Calgary Canoe Club, numerous picnic areas with fire pits and BBQ stands, pedestrian and bike trails, playgrounds, cross country skiing, an ice rink, and new this year an ice skating trail to skate over 730 meters of connecting track.
The Weaslehead flats connect South and North Glenmore park and are a 237-hectare natural environment park that began developing after the reservoir was built. The river’s slowing has created the different areas of marshes, sand bars, and winding channels making up the Flats. A wide diversity of wildlife and plant life resides there for all to experience. Common loons, tundra swans, crossbills, and all three hummingbird species are just a few of the birds that inhabit the Flats, and it is also one of the best places to see Black Bears.
A white Spruce forest is located to the south, and Balsam Poplars are found in the moister forest areas. Sandbar willows and Water Birch Trees are found in the dryer areas, all of which create an ideal home for such a wide array of forestry to see all in one place.
In Calgary’s earlier days, the Elbow River was muddy, and the water frequently became contaminated, which produced unsafe drinking water. So, in 1932 the Glenmore Reservoir and the Glenmore Dam were built to ensure a supply of clean, safe drinking water for the residents of Calgary. It is a large gravity dam that uses its structure’s weight to hold back the Elbow River’s excess flow.
Construction of the dam allowed for further development of downtown Calgary through the years. When first built, it held water for a population of 200,000, but today, along with the Glenmore water treatment plant and research center, it provides safe, clean drinking water to the southern half of Calgary. Luckily there have only been two floods since the building of the dam, the first in 2005 and the second in 2013. The last flood was deemed catastrophic and the worst in Calgary’s history by the provincial government. Heavy rainfall overwhelmed the Glenmore dam causing it to spill over at a rate of 544 cubic meters of water per second with normal flows at only 20-30 cubic meters per second. It took months for the city to clean up.
The Glenmore reservoir and the Glenmore Dam, and all its natural parkland and wildlife habitats are a Calgary attraction complete with history, recreation, education, and outdoor activities for any age.
Check out the Calgary Stampede which is in Calgary AB too.
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