June 21, 2013 – Massive flooding in southern Alberta is wreaking havoc in the province from its western Rocky Mountain border eastward with at least 12 communities having declared states of emergency. Calgary has been hit hard by the rising floodwaters due to torrential rains, as have Canmore, Bragg Creek, High River, Turner Valley, and Black Diamond. Roads, including the Trans Canada Highway, have been submerged, cutting off communities and stranding residents and travelers. As many as 100,000 people have been told to evacuate their homes in the Calgary area, according to the website cbc.ca.

The flooding has also affected trails in the area. According to an article on cbc.ca, the Bow River is covering cycling trails in Calgary, while TransRockies was forced to cancel this upcoming weekend’s Rundle’s Revenge mountain biking and trail running event in Canmore.

“The quality of the trail system has been compromised due to the large amount of rain. Placing 500 athletes on the Nordic Centre trails would simply be too dangerous and potentially cause more damage to the exceptional Nordic Centre,” read a statement posted on the transrockies.com website regarding the cancellation.

In fact, the famous trail network at the Canmore Nordic Centre are closed indefinitely, according to a statement from the Canmore Nordic Centre: “Due to significant rainfall and potential for flooding, all trails at Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park are currently closed. This closure will remain in effect until the threat of flooding subsides and trails can be surveyed for damage. Although some trails may reopen in time for the weekend, several are expected to remain closed until necessary repairs are made.”

Read more here.