Calgary Stampede Proceeding as Planned Despite Water Crisis, City Officials Confirm

The Calgary Stampede will proceed as scheduled despite a water supply crisis in the city, according to officials.

“The Calgary Stampede is part of the community and we share the concerns of Calgarians regarding the current situation. At our heart, we are an agricultural society and we, along with our contestants and exhibitors who bring their animals here from throughout North America, are part of that community. There are no greater stewards of natural resources – especially water – than those in that community.”

A combination of mandatory and voluntary water restrictions have been in place since June 5, when a water main broke in the city’s northwest. Measures include shorter showers, reduced laundry and dishwashing, and a ban on outdoor water use.

The city stressed the importance of summer events like the Stampede for the economy, community, and cultural connections.

“We are working with the Stampede and other event organizers to ensure they don’t impact our water use during this critical time,” the city assured. “These events will look slightly different this summer, but they will proceed.”

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The city noted that water demand for the Stampede in the past five years showed “no significant uptick.” Factors include many residents leaving the city during the event and the occurrence of big storms in early July that reduce outdoor water needs.

Coby Duerr, acting chief of the city’s emergency management agency, urged visitors to “live like a local” and adhere to restrictions when attending the Stampede.

“Follow all the restrictions. Make every drop count, take three minute or less showers, make memories, and take pictures – but also take your dirty laundry home with you to wash,” he advised in a city release.

Water Repair Update

The city provided an update on repairs on June 17, announcing the completion of repairs on the original feeder main break and the commencement of work on five other identified hotspots.

“We are working quickly and safely to get this job done. Heavy equipment is moving through the city or already in place, shovels are in the ground and crews are working around the clock on the repairs,” the release stated.

Additional pipe sections have been secured to support the repairs, with three sections in Calgary being prepared for installation and two others en route from San Diego expected to arrive soon. The city estimated that the work would take three to five weeks to complete, reminding Calgarians of the ongoing water restrictions.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article.