CAUTION

The North Channel of the Harvie Passage has killed people and is extremely dangerous. There are more details below.

Table of contents

Overview
South Channel - Surfable beginner waves
North Channel - Extremely dangerous no good waves
Access

OveRview

This guide provides basic feature information, basic safety information, a site map and videos of the features.  The purpose is to increase knowledge and help people make better decisions.  This guide is always incomplete and not all dangers are listed.  The Bow river constantly changes so always assess the river and take proper precautions before getting in the water.  Reading this will not keep you safe  Let us know if you have new information or improved information.  You can reach the Alberta RSA Board at info@AlbertaRiverSurfing.com. 

Make sure you are properly trained and equipped.

You are entirely responsible for your own safety and the risks you take.

Link to Harvie Passage Flows and Flow Forecast

The good

The low water / south channel is fun and provides a great introduction to rivers and river recreation. There are still risks in the south channel and unprepared people are regularly injured.

the bad

The high water / north channel has killed people, is high risk and has needlessly terrible river feature design.
The low water / south channel, like any river, still has risks and people have died and been seriously injured.  

River waves in calgary

There are unfortunately no good river waves at the Harvie Passage, but there are a couple of waves that surfers can stand on. The poor quality is due to bad wave design. The Harvie Passage can have good, low risk, long lasting river waves, that meet the requirements of all river users. There is small surfable wave at 10th Street Bridge in downtown Calgary. The Alberta RSA is working on a project to build good waves at the Harvie Passage and 10th Street bridge. 

Good waves are low risk and bring in millions of dollars every year in new economic activity to the surrounding area along with many other benefits. Global wave tourism is valued at $50B USD a year. You can find out more about the project at AlbertaRiverSurfing.com/surfyyc.

Map of Harvie Passage - Both Channels

The Harvie Passage consists of two channels.  The High Water / North Channel is very dangerous and is on the left side of the image below.  The Low Water / South Channel has risks but requires less experience and is on the right side of the image below.  Both channels are detailed below.

South Channel / Low Flow Channel

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Map of south / low flow Channel

Standard river risks exist. Be careful.

Low Water / South Channel Features

South Channel can provide an excellent introduction to rivers, flow patterns and safe river usage. Drops 2, 3, and 6 have surfable features at some flows. The Low Water / The features are fun but very hard to surf. Adjustments to these features would make them much better. 

• Drop 2: Beginner wave surfable with flows from 60 to 100 m3/s.

• Drop 3: Very low quality and challenging to surf.

• Drop 6: Beginner wave surfable with flows above 150 m3/s.

Dangers

These are a few of the dangers in the south channel and there are more. You are responsible for identifying, understanding, and mitigating the risks.

• Uncontrolled River users coming from up stream including large drift boards.

• Big rocks are often hidden underneath the surface especially when water is high.

• Going over drops downstream when chasing boards.

North Channel / High Flow Channel

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MAP OF High WATER CHANNEL

Very dangerous.

HIGH DANGER AREAS OF HARVIE PASSAGE

These areas of the high water / north channel are always dangerous because you can be swept over the shallow large boulders on the side of the drops. People have been killed going over these areas.  The areas marked are not exact and can dramatically change over time and with flows and the danger areas can become much larger.  Assess the river before getting in the water.  Stay in the middle of the drops if coming from upstream or exit the river and walk around.  Other dangers exist.

 When in the water above the drops it is impossible to see the drops.  You need to know your position before getting in the water. If you go over the sides of the drops you could die or be seriously injured.

Safety

Some key safety measures but other measures can be taken and these do not guarantee safety.

• Wear no leash or a waist leash with quick release at the body

• Wear a PFD

• Wear a helmet

• Check the river around the area and plan your entry and exits

• Be aware of your position in the river. You cannot see the drops and the dangerous boulders on the side when on your board.

• Avoid the edges of the drops, they are very shallow with large boulders

• Watch for debris and river users coming downstream

• Only try to stand up when you are in very slow moving water

• Get on your board and paddle

• Stay on the surface

• Wear an appropriate wetsuit to protect from hypothermia because the water is cold

• Wear foot protection because there can be sharp rocks and other debris

• Do not drink the water

• Avoid area when there is ice coverage or ice coming down the river

Dangers in the High water / north Channel

Some of the dangers but other dangers exist.

• The sides of the every drop are very dangerous because there is shallow water flowing over large boulders. Going through these area has killed people and could kill or seriously injure you.

• Drops 3L and 3R are very dangerous because missing the paddle out can easily drag you over the rocks beside Drop 4.

• The river bed is constantly changing. Some areas are very shallow and new shallow sections can build up without warning

• Some features can be retentive and recirculate river users. Features change over time and with flows. A feature could be safe under certain conditions but become hazardous as conditions change.

Usable Features

Good waves were sadly and intentionally not part of the Harvie Passage design but there are a few features in the high water / north channel that can be used by a surfer.

High Water / North Channel Features

The high water / north channel has needlessly terrible feature design that wastes the drop and width on every feature and is high risk.

Runway - High Water  / North Channel Drop 2R

This feature is very flat and has been ridden using very high volume boards at flows about 135 cms.  At 105 cms the wave could not be caught on surfboard lying down.  Entry can be from the sides or dropping in from above.  

High Water  / North Channel Drop 4 Top

This feature came in a higher water levels.  The level is not confirmed but it was above 140cms.  The feature can only be accessed by dropping in from above when on a surfboard.  Feature is narrow, steep, bumpy and flushes on surfers right.

 High Water  / North Channel Drop 4 Bottom

This feature seems to be in at all water levels.  At 105 cms, the feature can be caught from the side.  The feature is bumpy and rapidly changes.

Additional Videos of Features

Additional videos of each feature in the High Water / North Channel.

Additional videos of features in the Low Water / South Channel.

Flows

The total flow at the Harvie Passage is measured by combining two gauges: Bow River at Calgary and Elbow River below Glenmore Dam.  You can find the flows at Rivers.Alberta.ca.  The flow at Harvie Passage splits into the Lower Water / South Channel and the High Water / North Channel.  Most of the water goes through the High Water / North Channel. 

Access

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Access to Harvie Passage is through Pearce Estates on the east end of Inglewood.  There are currently no changing facilities but river groups on working on these.  There are washrooms that are sometimes open in the park.  There are no washrooms at the river.  You park at Pearce Estate Park.

Link to Map with Pearce Estate Park