Authorities have issued a flood watch and high streamflow advisories for parts of Banff National Park in Alberta due to rapid snowmelt driving rising river levels.

The advisories affect the Pipestone River flowing through the Lake Louise area and into the Bow River, as well as sections of the Bow River near the community of Lake Louise.

Officials have reported that low-lying trails and picnic areas near the Lake Louise Visitors Centre are already experiencing impacts from the rising waters.Areas around the Post Hotel may also be at risk as water levels continue to increase.

A broader high streamflow advisory has also been issued for the Bow River, extending from upstream of the town of Banff, through the town itself, and downstream toward the Ghost Reservoir, approximately 60 kilometres west of Calgary.Increased debris has been observed in the river, raising additional safety concerns for residents and visitors.

Local authorities are urging the public to avoid riverbanks, waterways, and any flooded or low-lying areas, warning that fast-moving and muddy water may conceal hazards such as sinkholes or exposed infrastructure.Water levels in the Bow River are expected to rise by approximately 30 centimetres through Friday.

The situation is being driven by unseasonably warm temperatures, with daytime highs around 25°C in Banff and Lake Louise, roughly 10 degrees above seasonal norms.

Although temperatures are expected to cool into the mid-teens by the weekend, they will be accompanied by several days of rain, which may further influence river conditions and prolong elevated water levels in the region.