BREAKING NEWS - VALLEY REMAINS UNDER FLOOD WATCH

Craig Douce RMO photo

The Bow River creeps toward Bow Avenue in Banff as the town prepares for increased flooding.

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The Bow Valley remains under a flood watch due to extremely heavy rains over the past few days.

According to the Town of Banff, there is localized flooding in low areas. A large portion of the Banff Rec Grounds and riverside trails are flooded. As well, Bow Avenue is closed and a temporary berm is being built on it to hold back the Bow River, should it continue to rise.

The Bow Valls viewpoint and surrounding areas are closed, though the parking lot is still open.

A temporary berm has also been constructed on Birch Avenue in front of the Buffalo Nations Museum.

Parks Canada warns of extremely high water levels in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. Visitors and residents are advised to stay back from rivers and low lying areas; river banks are unstable, some footbridges have collapsed and fast moving waters are carrying debris such as stumps and trees. The Lake Louise campground will be closed for the weekend.

According to provincial Sustainable Resource Development, campground closures are in effect at:

Bow River Campground - sites 7-27 are closed due to high water levels

Three Sisters Campground - sites 7-32 are closed

Porcupine Group Campground - losed due to high water levels

Heart Creek Day Use Area is closed due to the access road being washed out.

Grassi Lakes Trails are closed due to the danger of rock fall from work being conducted on the washed out highway above the trails.

As well, warnings (or advisories) due to high water levels are in place on Cougar Creek, Grotto Canyon and Heart Creek trails.

In Canmore, raging waters washed out a section of paved trail along Cougar Creek.

According to Environment Canada, rains showers in the area are likely from Friday through Monday.