Bow River Access Plan for Fishing and Recreation
Official title: Bow River access plan engagement
Alberta developed a plan to improve public access to a 52 km stretch of the Bow River. The goal? Better fishing spots, easier river access for paddlers, and more tourism. The plan was finalized in 2019 after public input.
Why This Matters
Love fly-fishing or floating down rivers? The Bow River is world-famous for both. This plan created a connected network of access points along 52 km of river. Over a million people live along its shores.
What Could Change
The final plan established 52 km of connected river access points. New partnerships with fishing guides and tourism operators were created to manage these sites. Access improvements benefit anglers, rafters, and canoeists.
Key Issues
- Where should new river access points be located?
- How can tourism be expanded while protecting the fishery?
- What partnerships are needed to manage access sites?
What Happened
The consultation ran from July 4-31, 2017 through an online public survey. Feedback helped shape the final access plan, which was released in 2019. The plan establishes a 52 km connected river access network.