The City of Calgary has taken on this project as part of their 10 Street SW Gravel Bar project! The City of Calgary is investigating whether adjustable river waves are possible. This is a huge step forwards for the project but, as with any large project, there is no guarantee waves will be built. Please see the City of Calgary project site for more details.
https://www.calgary.ca/planning/water/10-street-sw-gravel-bar.html
Thank you everyone for all the support that has allowed this project to progress. The community engagement, events, and advocacy has been critical to this exciting development.
info@AlbertaRiverSurfing.com
Table of Contents
Usage Flood Risk Technology Wave Details Safety
Economics Timing Environment Culture Support Us
Calgary can have a river wave park with excellent waves and an urban beach at 10th Street Bridge (Louise Bridge) in downtown Calgary. This combination of recreational waves and accessible beach will result in substantial cultural, economic and environmental benefits that will last generations. The project is by the Alberta River Surfing Association and the Alberta Whitewater Association, Surf Anywhere and other local partners.
We are starting the preliminary engineering stage. In 2018, we completed a feasibility study and concept design. In 2019 and 2020, we completed a 300+ page initial design report including stakeholder consultation. Starting in April 2021, we are raising non-governmental funds and making partnerships for preliminary engineering. Additional extensive consultation will be part of the project.
This project will capture some of global surf tourism which is valued at $60 billion a year (May 2021). The waves and urban beach are expected to generate $1,800,000 to $6,000,000 per year in new economic activity from wave users alone and generate millions of positive impressions every year from around the world. The Bend, Oregon, river wave park generated $4,800,000 in economic impacts in 2017 based on an economic impact study. The waves will have no impact on flood risk or on river levels during a flood. The total cost of the project including construction is expect to be just under $10M including 30% contingency.
Based on multiple quote, the preliminary engineering phase will cost around $500,000 including 30% contingency. The engineering services provider will be selected through a competitive RFP process organized with project partners.
In partnership with Parks Foundation Calgary, donations over $100 receive a tax receipt. Click the button below and select Calgary River Wave Park from the drop down project list. All funds go towards preliminary engineering. We have already completed the feasibility study and a 300+ page initial design report.
parts of the river wave park
Wave, river instruction and spectators
The wave is the spectacle and main attraction that brings tourism and locals to the area. The wave is adjustable and will be used by all levels and types of river wave users. There will be river wave riding and river safety instruction classes in the water and on the river banks. Spectators will gather on the river banks and the surrounding bridges.
Natural channel for boat and fish bypass
The north channel will remain natural and allow for easy bypass by drift boats, rafts and other users floating downstream, and fish. There will be clear river signage directing users to the natural channel or the wave channel. If floaters end up in the wave channel, there will be many easy exit points before the wave. When floaters go over the wave, it will be exciting and they may tip but they will pass through the wave and continue downstream.
River exit and entrance
There will be an improve and easy river exit and entrance point just past the Louise Bridge. This ramp will allow rafters and others to safely leave the river or launch upstream of the wave. This river access point will be accessible and create a short water trail through downtown Calgary that encourages visitors and locals to repeatedly float the trail and stay longer in the area. The entire south river bank will allow for low risk access.
Deep, slow pool
Upstream of the wave there will be a deep slow pool. The pool will be good for swimming, wading flatwater paddling and floating. The water in the pool will slowly move towards the wave and then quickly pickup speed just upstream of the wave.
Urban beach
The urban beach will be very popular with tourists and locals. The urban beach allows everyone to enjoy the vibrant river wave park area. All land components will be flood resistant or removable in case of high water.
Interviews
These are some interviews about the Calgary River Wave Park.
The river conditions at the 10th Street Bridge (Louise Bridge) location allow for world class, adjustable waves all year except for during floods and heavy ice coverage. The wave making structures will collapse flat to the river bottom before and during flood season to completely avoid any effect on river levels during floods. The development will make this section of river safer and more enjoyable for all river users, will improve the river and riverbank ecosystems, will create a vibrant cultural anchor on the west end of downtown and with result in millions every year in additional economic activity.
For more information or to support the project contact Neil Egsgard of the Alberta River Surfing Association at President@AlbertaRiverSurfing.com.
For more information on Slam Festival, our annual summer surf, art, music and skate festival go to SlamTheFestival.com. Slam Festival showcases our vision of an urban beach at 10th street wave, creates great experiences and builds awareness and support for improving surfing in Alberta.
This page is always under development as the project progresses and more details will be added.
ExaMPLE RIVER WAVE
The Calgary wave will be much better, three times wider and the surrounding area more beautiful.
Surfing the river wave in Bend, Oregon
Wave by Surf Anywhere
Video by Pete Alport
Current Layout at 10th Street Bridge Wave
Examples of Manufactured river waves
Examples of URBAN BEACHES
Initial design report
Below are the title and table of contents of the Initial Design Report. The report is 316 pages long including 225 pages in the report body and 91 pages in the appendices.
USING THE river wave park
Who will use the river wave park?
The river wave park is designed and planned for all to enjoy and will be used by large sections Calgarians and visitors with hundreds of thousands of visitors & users each year. The river wave park will be used as a meeting place, as a river access point, as a recreation area, as a classroom, as a research area, as a place to appreciate the river and many other users. The river wave park will be enjoyed by youth, adults, elderly, rafters, swimmers, sunbathers, SUPers, paddlers, walkers, waders, environmentalists, anyone who enjoys experiencing the river and, of course, surfers. The area will include access to the riverside for both river entrance and exit. The access will mobility friendly. As the first and best river access in downtown Calgary, the area will become a regular take-out and put-in point for Bow River floats and paddles.
How will different users benefit from the area?
Spectators and Sunbathers
The beautiful look and sound of the waves will provide a great background for people to enjoy the river. The river recreation will create lots of action for people to enjoy while relaxing on the sunny river banks and bridges.
Rafters & Floaters
The area will be much safer for rafters and floaters and provide easy and safe entrance and exits from the river. The river upstream of the wave will be slow and deep making it easy for unskilled rafters and floaters to paddle to the bank. There will be ramps both upstream and down stream of the wave that allow easy river exit and entrance with small rafts. There will be signage notifying rafters and floaters of the wave and the river exits. Rafters and floaters will be able to avoid the wave by taking the north channel or getting out of the river and walking around. If rafters and floaters go over the wave, they will have a fun ride and may fall out of the raft and will then float downstream.
Currently, the area is hazardous for rafters and floaters. Rafters and floaters often get stuck on the boulders where the river turns after the Louise Bridge. Many rafters and floaters take out at this location and have to walk over unstable boulders with lots of holes. The surf community rescues struggling rafters and floaters every year.
Swimmers
The area upstream of the wave will be slow moving and deep and will provide a swimming area. Swimmers can go over the waves and will float through the waves and downstream without stopping.
SUPers & Paddlers
The flat and slow moving water upstream of the wave and the access and exit ramps will provide an easy way for paddlers to leave and enter the river. Paddlers will be able to float over the wave and downstream.
Environmentalist and Nature Lovers
The riparian habitat improvements downstream of the wave will create a small and accessible natural area. The area will be much better for wildlife. The signage about the river ecosystem and positive river experiences will create good connections between people and the river and more people with care about protecting our rivers.
Students
The river wave park will provide an engaging classroom for students to learn about how river the works, about river ecosystems, river safety and about the physics of wave formation. The area will also allow for school surf competitions. The summer junior river safety & surf program will provide youth training on river safety, river usage and provide improved river safety for all users.
Research
The river wave park will allow ongoing research into successful urban beach strategies and different ways to shape river waves.
Surfers, kayakers and wave riders
The waves will provide excellent surfing for all levels of surfers and become a major surf tourism destination.
Flood Risk
Will this project impact flood risk?
The wave will reduce flood risks because it creates more space in the river for water to flow. Modelling of the planned river changes show a decrease in flood river levels. Modelling includes river levels from normal flows to 1000 year flood flows. The structures that make the waves completely collapse to the river bottom. When the structures are flattened there is a decrease in current river levels. The structures will be flattened well in advance of flood times.
Existing flood risk from Louise Bridge Gravel Bar Island
In addition, the project will be part of the 10th Street Gravel bar island lowering. The 10th Street gravel bar is considered one of the highest flood risk areas in Calgary. The 2013 flood resulted in a dramatic increase in size of the gravel bar. Since 2013, the gravel bar has become vegetated. The flood concern is that during a large flood debris could become caught on the vegetation blocking a Louise Bridge arch and causing flooding upstream.
Reducing flood risk from Louise Bridge Gravel Bar Island
The Project would lower the height of the gravel bar and reduce the gravel bar size. This change would allow more water through the central arch of Louise Bridge and reduce flood risks.
Has this technology been tested in similar rivers?
Yes, the technology has been used across the world and functions extremely well in rivers like the Bow with high flows and lots of material being moved down river.
How will the waves and beach area handle a major flood?
The waves and beach will return to normal operation shortly after the high water recedes. These types of waves have gone through major floods many times and in many different locations around the world and come through with no or minimal problems.
Could the river move away from the wave location after a major flood?
The Bow river has split at this location for at least the past 100 years. The Bow River has flowed over the wave location for at least the past 100 years. There have been multiple major floods during this time frame.
What happens if the wave making structures break?
The structures are designed so that if there is a failure then they fully collapse. When the structures are collapsed they do not affect river levels.
How will maintenance be handled after a major flood?
The Alberta RSA or the River Wave Park specific not-for-profit will maintain a substantial fund for maintenance after a major flood event fund. These funds will be used, if needed, after a major flood event to ensure the wave remains operational. The fund will be established during initial construction and increased and replenished through operation of the area by the Alberta RSA.
Key Technologies
What is are the key technologies?
River waves are created by controlling how the water flows from the high point. There are two key technologies involved, a water level controlling technology and a wave creating technology.
What is the water level control technology?
The water level technology controls the water level upstream of the waver and controls which wave(s) get water. This technology also makes it easy for future inspection and maintenance. The water level controlling technology is intended to be Obermeyer Gates or the equivalent. The gates consist of large plates anchored to a concrete foundation. The plates are raised and lowered by large bladders or hydraulics or pneumatics. There will be a way to mechanically and manually raise the gates should there be any equipment problems.
What is the wave creating techonology?
The wave creating technology shapes the flow of water going from the upstream high point to the downstream low point. There are a number of different methods for creating waves. Our method will involve a highly adjustable river bottom. Some examples of this type of technology are below. The examples include a fixed in-ramp with an adjustable kicker and adjustable in-ramps with adjustable kickers. The Calgary waves project will be using a much more adjustable variation of these technologies.
Wave Details
Can good waves be designed and built in the Bow River?
Absolutely, good wave design and good construction results in good waves. Good river waves have been built in major rivers all around the world and good waves can be built in the Bow. The Alberta RSA is working with Surf Anywhere, a Calgary river wave building company, that has extensive experience building successful river waves in Canada and around the world for over a decade.
What will be the size of the waves?
There is one main 30m wide channel that can form multiple parallel waves. The waves can be up to 1.5m high from trough to peak. There will always be two waves operating. At lower flows the waves will have a total of 20m width. At high flows the waves will have a total width of 30m. It will be possible to transition from one wave to the next wave.
Will the waves be adjustable?
Yes, the waves will be fully adjustable. The waves can be changed to make different shapes of waves and to make the best waves at all flows.
Will there be a cost to use the waves or beach?
The beach will be public and free to use. Some wave times will be pay to use and some wave times will be free to use. This combination of free and pay balances accessibility with project sustaining revenue.
What types of river users will enjoy the waves?
The waves are adjustable allowing for ideal features for all river users that want to ride waves including surfers, SUPers, body boarders, kayakers, body surfers and others. The waves can be smooth green faces for big carves, whitewater holes and other shapes.
How often will the waves be usable?
The waves will be usable all year except for times of heavy ice coverage. pre-flood days and during floods. Current wave usage in Alberta and other locations shows that the waves will be used whenever they are operating.
Has the Alberta River Surfing Association built waves before?
Yes, the Alberta River Surfing Association worked with Surf Anywhere to build the world famous Mountain wave in Alberta in 2014 and to upgrade the Mountain wave in 2019. The Mountain wave is made from large boulders, is not adjustable and is the best river surfing wave in Western Canada. The Mountain wave has received very positive local, national and international news coverage.
Will the waves be adjustable?
Yes, the waves will be fully adjustable. The waves can be changed to make different shapes of waves and to make the best waves at all flows.
Will there be a cost to use the waves or beach?
The beach will be public and free to use. Some wave times will be pay to use and some wave times will be free to use. This combination of free and pay balances accessibility with project sustaining revenue.
What types of river users will enjoy the waves?
The waves are adjustable allowing for ideal features for all river users that want to ride waves including surfers, SUPers, body boarders, kayakers, body surfers and others. The waves can be smooth green faces for big carves, whitewater holes and other shapes.
How often will the waves be usable?
The waves will be usable all year except for times of heavy ice coverage. pre-flood days and during floods. Current wave usage in Alberta and other locations shows that the waves will be used whenever they are operating.
Has the Alberta River Surfing Association built waves before?
Yes, the Alberta River Surfing Association worked with Surf Anywhere to build the world famous Mountain wave in Alberta in 2014 and to upgrade the Mountain wave in 2019. The Mountain wave is made from large boulders, is not adjustable and is the best river surfing wave in Western Canada. The Mountain wave has received very positive local, national and international news coverage.
Matthew Robertson on The Mountain wave during the first North American River Surfing Championships in 2017.
Wave by the Alberta River Surfing Association & Surf Anywhere. Photo by Robert Bishop Photography.
What experience does Surf Anywhere have building waves?
Surf Anywhere helps surfers and other river users build waves across Alberta, across Canada and around the world. Surf Anywhere projects include the Mountain wave in the Kananaskis and the best manufactured river surfing wave in North America in Bend, Oregon. In 2020/2021 Surf Anywhere completed a year long research project into ideal river wave formation with University of Ottawa and the Alberta RSA. Surf Anywhere provides a wide range of other services to improve the river surfing. Surf Anywhere past projects can be viewed on the Surf Anywhere Projects page.
Safety
Will there be onsite river safety?
Yes, the Alberta RSA is developing a river safety program for the River Wave Park that will provide trained river safety personnel. There will be a junior river safety and surf program for youth each summer that will train young people on river safety, river rescue, river recreation, provide positive river experiences and develop a healthy culture of river safety and respect.
Will the waves be low risk?
Yes, the waves will be low risk and much safer than the current river section. The water provides a cushion that reduces or eliminates the impacts of falls. The river section downstream is long and straight allowing users to safely exit the river. Users can only stay on the wave if they are trying to stay on the wave, swimmers and floaters will pass through the wave. There is always some risk to river usage and that will remain.
Will there be safety improvements to the existing river section?
The river upstream will be slower and deeper, there will be an easy and safe exit for rafters, there will be easier river access and easier river exits. The river passage through this section will be much safer for rafters and other river users. Old metal cables, shards and other old debris will be removed from the area. The waves and beach will be an excellent location to introduce Calgarians to the river and river safety.
How will night time usage or usage during dangerous river conditions be managed?
The waves are adjustable and can be quickly and completely flattened at anytime. If night time usage is not desired, the waves can disappear every night and reappear every morning.
How can rafts and other boats by-pass or float through the wave?
The river splits upstream of the wave. The larger portion of the river goes on the north side and completely by-passes the wave. The smaller portion of the river goes towards the wave. There will be a number of spots for floaters to exit the river before the wave. The river before the wave is deep and slow making it easy to exit. Boats can safely float over the wave. There will be signage indicating the different routes and exits.
How can police and fire boats by-pass or go through the waves?
The police and fire boats can completely by-pass the waves via the north channel which will be unchanged. The waves can be completely flattened allowing the police and fire boats to go over the waves location.
Economic benefits, CostS & Payback
What is the economic impact?
Global surf tourism is valued at $50 billion per year. The waves will generate between $1,800,000 to $6,000,000 a year in new economic activity from wave users alone. Alberta has only minimal surf related economic activity and this will be new economic activity. Existing river waves around the world generate millions a year in economic activity for the surrounding areas. The Bend, Oregon, river wave park generated $4,800,000 in economic impacts in 2017.
Wave user spending breakdown by month.
What will this project cost?
As of 2020, the early budget cost is $9,600,000 including 30% contingency and a fund for maintenance after a major flood.
What is the payback on this investment?
Payback is expected to be between 3 to 6 years. Return on investment is based on 9 months usage and two waves in parallel or one wide wave. The 3 year ROI includes either all river wave park users including spectators and families with 30% wave usage capacity or 100% wave usage capacity and no other users. The 6 year return only includes wave user spending at 30% with usage at 30% of capacity.
Return on investment for $9.6M Calgary River Wave Park.
How will the waves generate millions of dollars each year?
The spending is created by waves users and spectators coming to the area. The average surfer spends $62.50 per surf session and makes $75,000 per year. The spending is based on lodgings, food, gas, equipment and other local spending. There will always be at least two operating surf waves at this location. The two waves provide a total of 100,000 two hour long surf sessions from March to November each year. This spending only includes wave user spending and does not include spectator spending. Spending numbers come from major US and UK studies of surfer spending.
Why would people choose Calgary for surfing over other locations?
The Calgary waves will be predictable, if you plan a vacation a year in advance and spend thousands of dollars you know the waves will be there when you arrive. Wave users and spectators get more time with waves in one day in Calgary then in a month at the ocean because river waves are always working. Calgary offers a huge variety of high quality and accessible other attractions.
What competition exists for the waves and urban beach?
There is no competition outside of the coasts and the southern United States. The closest good waves are over 1,000 kilometers away on the Pacific ocean.
Locations of waves. The light blue markers are ocean waves. The blue dots are consistent river waves. The red dot is the proposed Calgary River Wave Park.
Are there other economic benefits?
A 2015 study on housing prices within walking distance of a surf break showed that houses close to a surf break had an increased value of $100,000 (about 10% of the average house value in the study) compared to houses further away from a surf break. There is also increased economic activity due to spectators and events.
Who will pay for the project?
The money for the project will come through a combination of community fundraising, local donations, local partnerships, corporate donations of goods and services, events, grants and public funds.
What are the ongoing costs?
Well built river waves have very minimal ongoing costs. The design will make the minimal seasonal maintenance very easy to perform. There maybe large costs following major flood events but the Alberta RSA will permanently maintain a large fund to cover these costs.
What is the lifespan of the waves?
The lifespan is at least 25 years.
Who will pay for the wave upgrade at the end of the lifespan?
The supporting facility will generate enough income to pay for the upgrades at the end of the lifespan as well as annual operating costs. Funds will be put away every to pay for upgrades at the end of the lifespan.
Who will operate the wave?
The wave is intended to be operated by the Alberta River Surfing Association.
TIMING
When will the waves and beach be open?
The project is at the preliminary engineering stage as of 2021 and completion would be between 2025 and 2030. The timing depends on funding and approvals.
What is the current stage of the project?
We have completed the feasibility study and concept design and know great waves and an urban beach are possible in this locations. We are preparing a detailed design report to present to the City of Calgary and Province of Alberta and will request full support from both the City of Calgary and the Province of Alberta after the report is delivered. The report will include the results of stakeholder engagement, initial permitting discussions, initial design and more. Here are the general project stages.
Feasibility Study & Conceptual Design - COMPLETE
Building Support - ONGOING
Fundraising - ONGOING
Stakeholder Consultation - COMPLETE (There will be additional consultation in the future)
Initial Design Report, Initial Permitting Discussions & Support Building Plan - COMPLETE
Present report to City of Calgary, Province of Alberta and Government of Canada requesting support of project - COMPLETE
Preliminary Engineering including Environmental Assessment - RAISING FUNDS
Final Engineering
Bidding and Contractor Selection
Construction
Commissioning
Open for use
What level of support for the project?
The project has been presented to a wide range of stakeholders and all have been supportive and want more information on the project. Stakeholders have provided comments on the project and those comments are included in the project plans. The Alberta government provided a significant grant to the Alberta River Surfing Association towards developing the project. No funds have been provided by the City of Calgary towards the project. Stakeholders contacted included:
City of Calgary Departments
Fire Department Police Services Law & Legislative Parks Recreation Planning
River Engineering Roads Tourism Transit
Calgary Councillors
Ward 7 Councillor Evan Woolley Ward 8 Councillor Druh Farrell
Calgary Residents
Downtown West Community Association Eau Claire Community Association
Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association
River User Group
Calgary River Users Alliance
Elected Representatives
MLA for Calgary Buffalo Hon. Kathleen Ganley
MLA for Calgary Mountain View Dr. David Swann
MP for Calgary Centre Mr. Kent Hehr
Environmental Benefits & Impacts
How will the construction of the waves and urban beach benefit the environment?
As part of the construction, nearby river habitat and the river bank habitat will be improved. The improvements will make those areas better for the animals and plants that live there and that are there seasonally. The project will be self compensating meaning there will be an increase in good river habitat and river bank habitat as a result of the project. The improvements at the wave will protect the area from further erosion while retaining natural elements of the area.
How much habitat will be environmentally improved?
Over 960 m2 of in-river habitat will be improved. 7000 m2 of river bank habitat will be improved.
How does the the ongoing use of the waves and urban beach benefit the environment?
The waves and urban beach will bring a lot of people to the area and create very positive and memorable experiences with the river. The more people are aware about the river and have positive river experiences, the more they will care about protecting river health. The area will be an excellent river ecosystem education location including signage for the large number of visitors and educational programming.
Will fish be able to pass the waves and beach?
Yes, fish will easily be able to pass the waves and beach. The Bow River splits at this location into two channels, a north channel and a south channel. The two channels have existed here for over 100 years. The north channel has most of the the Bow river flow The north channel will remain untouched and fish will be able to swim upstream easily. The waves can be flattened making it easy for all fish to swim up south channel.
Will an environmental assessment be completed?
Yes, the project will include a full environmental assessment. The environmental assessment will be used to help improve the area river (aquatic) and riparian (riverbank) habitat and avoid negative environmental impacts.
Cultural benefits
How will the river wave park benefit Calgary culture?
This project will take a minimally used section of Calgary river front and create a vibrant public gathering space and cultural anchor for most of the year. Good recreational river waves are proven draws for users and spectators and become regularly used spaces for public events. The urban beach will create a low risk space for people to enter, exit, experience and connect with the Bow river.
Who can enjoy the urban beach and waves?
The urban beach will be usable by everyone. Wave usage is a low impact and low cost recreation. This means the waves can be enjoyed by all ages from children to seniors.
Will the area be accessible?
Yes, the design of the river bank area will include sloped access between levels to allow for wheeled access such as wheelchairs and strollers.
What are the athletic benefits of the waves?
The waves provide an excellent training ground for surf and other wave riding athletes. The waves are free to use, very high quality and are available for most of the year. This combination means athletes of all ages can spend many hours improving their skills and entertaining the spectators and beach goers. Wave users could easily start in Calgary and end up representing Canada at the Olympics and other international events.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Sponsors / Partners for a high visibility, legacy project
We are looking for sponsors and partners for this high visibility, legacy project that will permanently improve Calgary. Supporters & Partners can provide funding, donations of services / materials or other assistance. Please contact us if you are interested: Neil Egsgard - President@AlbertaRiverSurfing.com
Volunteers
We are always looking for more volunteers to help the Alberta RSA and this project. Our opportunity for the largest number of volunteers is with our annual festival, Slam Calgary. We are also looking for volunteers who are interested in helping with other projects or in other ways. Please contact us if you are interested: Andrea Juska - info@AlbertaRiverSurfing.com
Conflicts of interest
How does the Alberta RSA handle Conflicts of Interest?
The volunteer Alberta River Surfing Association Board handles Conflicts of Interest as per our Conflict of Interest policy. This policy was developed with assistance from the Alberta Government. The policy is available here.
Additional FAQ sections and information will be added.