The Town of Canmore is located within the Bow River watershed and obtains its drinking water from both surface and groundwater sources in about equal quantities.
Canmore's groundwater supply is fairly well protected because it is downstream of Banff National Park; however, concerns include the town's stormwater due to the high water table, major transportation routes such as the railway and highways, and other upstream watershed developments.
The town is currently working to determine if the groundwater supply is under the influence of surface water.
The town's surface water supply is obtained from the Spray Lakes Reservoir system, which collects water from a watershed that is mostly protected by parks. Recreational activities and transportation spills are the primary water quality concerns.
The Spray Lakes Reservoir system is part of the larger bow River Watershed which covers 25,000 km 2, starting in the Rocky Mountains and ending at the Sourth Saskatchewan River east of Medicine Hat.
The Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) is a "multistakeholder, charitable organization dedicated to conducting activities for the improvement and protection of the waters of the Bow River Basin." Visit the BRBC's website to learn more about the Bow River watershed and the Council.