Calgary's great June flood of 1929

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Over the years, long-time Herald researcher/librarian Norma Marr prepared a feature called The H Files, in which she looked back at a myriad of Calgary news events. This instalment recalled the significant flooding experienced by Calgary and southern Alberta in June 1929.

As the front page of the Calgary Herald showed, the flood created chaos across southern Alberta. Some of the devastating effects included the following:

• Both the Bow and Elbow rivers flooded Calgary and other smaller communities along their banks.
• St. George’s Island, home of the Calgary Zoo, was completely under water. “Many animals drowned,” the Herald reported, although the bears were believed to be safe. A number of birds and other small animals were turned loose, according to reports. “The two bears were not released, but it is believed that they will be able to cling to the top of their cages,” the newspaper said.
• The next day’s news story about the zoo indicated, “One goat, one blue heron . . . . porcupines, one Chinese pheasant, several hatchings of pheasant and duck eggs had been drowned in the flood. The bears, coyotes and deer were somewhat wet and uncomfortable, but alive.”
• The entire Mission district, Bowness Park and Roxboro neighbourhood were under water; portions of Rideau, Sunnyside, Riverdale and Westmount were also flooded.
• A tremendous log jam surged down the Bow, crashing into and destroying a railway bridge.
• The 25th Avenue bridge over the Elbow was smashed and swept down the river.
• Telephone lines and gas lines were washed out in several areas.
• High River was said to be “three feet under water” and farmers had lost cattle and horses to the swollen Highwood River.