Alberta Parks Update on the Kananaskis Area

I just wanted to pass along some information to our Guiding Community in respect to the Kananaskis Area.  As you are aware, the entire Region has had serious and widespread impact from the recent overland flooding, which has included road and bridge washouts. The severity of damage has, quite frankly, been unprecedented and never been seen on this scale before.  We are still responding  to emergency situations and assessing public safety risks at this time.
 
At this point I do not have a lot of information to provide, as we are still gathering information and assessing our facilities, roadways and our backcountry which will take some time to do.  For up to date information on what is currently open to the public and our commercial operators please check the following site regularly:
LINK:  www.albertaparks.ca; www.511.alberta.ca
 
In the short term we can confidently say that the Highway 40 south of the winter closure (at the Peter Lougheed turnoff) to the Kananaskis boundary near the Highwood Group camp and Day Use will not be open for several months; due to the extent of damage that has been sustained during this disaster.   Currently, Highway 40 is closed at the Highway 68 intersection southbound and updates on that can be found on the link above. 
 
Also, for all of the river guides that specifically operate on the Lower Kananaskis River the following day uses are closed; Barrier Dam, the Widowmaker and Canoe Meadows  until further notice( this includes the Lower Kananaskis River from Barrier to the Kananaskis boundary).
 
Highway 66 just west of the Mclean Creek Road Turn off  will not likely be in operation this summer as the Highway bridge over the Elbow River is missing completely. 
 
We commit to providing routine information updates to AlbertaParks.ca as soon as new information becomes available.
 
We will continue to communicate with you  as updated information in as timely a manner as possible; however feel free to regularly check our links for current information.
 
If companies have particular concerns over operations, please email me the exact questions you have and we will address them as soon as we are able.

Tammi Rees
Alberta Tourism, Parks & Recreation
June 25, 2013