Calgary's $12 million Bow River surf project moves into detailed design phase
City plans three adjustable waves for different skill levels beneath the Louise Bridge to manage gravel bar growth and create a recreational amenity.
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The City of Calgary's proposed recreational wave project on the Bow River under the Louise Bridge is moving forward into detailed design after a preliminary report confirmed the feasibility of creating a surfing spot while addressing flood risk from a growing gravel bar.
The 10th Street Gravel Bar and Recreational Wave project would reshape sediment beneath the bridge that has been accumulating since the 2013 Calgary flood. The gravel bar's continued growth restricts water flow and increases flood and erosion risk to nearby communities. The city's plan is to remove and redistribute gravel and soil to reduce flooding hazard while creating recreational opportunities.
The preliminary design report, released this week, proposes three adjustable parallel waves measuring 8 metres, 14 metres, and 8 metres wide, designed for a range of skill levels and river users. The estimated cost for the project is $12 million. "Studies to date have not identified any significant technical, regulatory, or safety reasons to exclude further exploration of a recreational wave," the city said in its report.
Similar recreational amenities exist in Bend, Oregon; Boise, Idaho; and Munich, Germany. Andrea Juska, a volunteer with the Alberta River Surfing Association, said she was moved by the city's architectural renderings. "It's something we've been envisioning for many years and just picturing it like that, being able to share it with other people and give them that conceptual visual, is amazing," she said Monday.
The project grew out of urban surfing advocacy nearly a decade ago. A natural standing wave formed under the bridge after the 2013 flood, eventually drawing both the Alberta River Surfing Association and Alberta Whitewater Association to propose a permanent recreational wave at the location.
The city's viability report from October 2024 confirmed that a recreational wave and urban beach would be feasible from technical, regulatory, and safety perspectives, and estimated the amenity could provide up to $1.8 million in annual economic benefit to Calgary's economy.
Detailed design is underway now, with regulatory approvals scheduled for November 2026 to November 2027. Construction timeline will be determined pending approvals, funding, and operational viability.
The facts
How much will Calgary's Bow River surf project cost?
The estimated cost for Calgary's 10th Street Gravel Bar and Recreational Wave project is $12 million.
How many waves will the Calgary surf project have?
The preliminary design for Calgary's recreational wave project proposes three adjustable parallel waves measuring 8 metres, 14 metres, and 8 metres wide, designed for different skill levels.
Why is Calgary building this surf project?
The gravel bar beneath the Louise Bridge has been accumulating since the 2013 Calgary flood, restricting water flow and increasing flood and erosion risk to nearby communities. The project will remove and redistribute gravel and soil to reduce flooding hazard while creating recreational opportunities.
When will Calgary's surf project be constructed?
Regulatory approvals for Calgary's wave project are scheduled for November 2026 to November 2027, with the construction timeline to be determined pending those approvals, funding, and operational viability.
