New book traces the history of Calgary on the Elbow

Moderator: newsposter

New book traces the history of Calgary on the Elbow

Postby newsposter » Wed Jan 03, 2007 5:06 pm

Updated March 1, 2011 - the book is now available
------------------------------------------------------------

Author and historican John Gilpin is researching a book about Calgary's historic relationship with the Elbow River. Individuals and communities with a connection to the Elbow are invited to participate; there will be a workshop in the spring (see below)...

John describes the project:

The objective of the project is to write a history of the Glenmore Dam and associated structures within the context of the history of the Elbow valley from the Weaselhead to the Bow. It will consist of four parts the first of which will cover the years before the decision was made in 1929 to build the dam. It will cover its occuption by the First Nations as well as ranchers and farmers such as Sam Livingston. The interest of various Calgary entrepreneurs in making use of its water for irrigation and hydroelectric purposes and its flood plains for residential and recreational uses will also be included. The role of the Elbow as a source of water for Calgary which was first considered in 1906 and initiated in 1907 will be outlined

The second section will focus on the construction of the dam as well as look at other dams built in Alberta to 1929. Dam construction in Alberta before 1929 included three by Calgary Power built in 1911, 1913 and 1929 to generate electricity. The Bassano Dam which was completed in 1914 was constructed to permit the diversion of water for the eastern section of the CPR irrigation block. The last and the largest solid concrete dam is the Glenmore.

The third section will cover the post-construction period prior to its inclusion in the city of Calgary in 1956. The fourth section will cover the post-1956 period during which time this section of the Elbow was completely urbanized. It will cover the development of land use around the reservoir and the impact of Calgary's expanding tansportation system on the Elbow.

The preparation of the book will involve research at the National Archives of Canada, Glenbow Archives and the City of Calgary Archives plus the organization of a workshop in the spring of 2007 to look at the Elbow River; past, present and future. The purpose of the workshop is to provide a further opportunity for people who have memories of the Elbow River, community associations, heritage and environmental groups to participate in the writing of the book as well as generate public interest in its fate.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

100 years ago: The gravity of water

Calgary Herald

Monday, March 19, 2007

On April 2, 1907, the Herald enthused about a new water supply for growing Calgary, the precursor of today's Glenmore Reservoir.

Proposed Gravity Water Supply For Calgary

Alderman Watson's proposed gravity water supply for the city of Calgary is rapidly assuming a practical shape. The matter will be dealt with at the next council meeting.

The scheme is to tap the Elbow river west of the city some ten or eleven miles, and pipe the water down to a reservoir to be situated at the summit of the hills immediately to the west of the city. The elevation of this natural water site will be sufficient, it is estimated, to provide an ample pressure upon delivery of the water in the city.

According to a report now received the total length of the line surveyed from the source of supply to the proposed reservoir is 10 1/4 miles, and the outlet of the conduit would be 244 feet above the bench mark at the Calgary general post office.

This would be the effective head at the entrance of the distribution pipes when the reservoir is full.

Allowing 20 feet as the depth of the reservoir, and a loss of 24 feet friction head between reservoir and the Post office, it would still leave at the lowest stage of water in the reservoir a hydrant pressure of 86 pounds to the square inch, which is sufficient to throw a column of water through 100 feet of fire hose with 1 1/4 inch nozzle to a height of 120 feet.

The expert analysis of the water taken from the proposed source of supply indicates its absolute purity.

By the proposed system, with the exception of a very small portion of the outlying districts, all the suburbs of Calgary that are laid out into lots can be supplied by this gravity system.

It is also claimed from government hydrological reports, the lowest flow of the Elbow river from where the supply would be taken, is about 108 million gallons per day; that, with a 30-inch pipe and using the slope proposed, the daily supply at this end would be 8,626,176 gallons per day, or sufficient to allow a continuous supply of 100 gallons per day to 86,000 customers.

In making comparisons as to the nature and value of a conduit suitable for this project, the following have been considered severally with their approximate cost per foot: 1. Cast iron pipes, $9.00; 2. Concrete, reinforced in places on the Monier principle, $3.00; 3. Continuous wooden stave pipe banded with round steel bands, $3.00.

The gravity system has been proved and found satisfactory in some of the world's greatest cities, and as Calgary must face the problem in relation to its future growth, there seems sufficient data of a favorable character to warrant the gravity system being seriously considered as Calgary's future water system.

© The Calgary Herald 2007
Last edited by newsposter on Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:23 pm, edited 3 times in total.
newsposter
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:13 am

Postby newsposter » Thu Jun 07, 2007 12:08 pm

“If the river could talk” - Exploring the Elbow River and its communities

“If The River Could Talk” is a series of activities and events from June to September that explore the Elbow River’s history, ecology, and role in community life. (see above for more on the genesis of the project).

This is a collaborative initiative supported by a number of groups, including members of the River Valleys Committee, the Glenmore Dam to Stanley Park Preservation Society, the Cliff Bungalow-Mission Elbow
Riverbank Historic Promenade Project, and author and historian John Gilpin, who is writing a book on the Glenmore Dam and Elbow River. (see above for more).
There will be free river walk guided tours on Sunday June 10, July 22 and August 19, from 2—4 pm starting at the north side of Mission Bridge, 4th St and 26th Avenue SW.

On Saturday June 23 from 10 am—3 pm there will be a free guided river-rafting tour.

On September 23 a “Calgary On the Elbow Workshop” hosted by Heritage Park will include speakers, stories, history and discussion of the river community.

To register for any of these activities or for more information contact John Gilpin... or Robin McLeod...
Last edited by newsposter on Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
newsposter
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:13 am

Postby newsposter » Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:14 pm

Well worth the wait, John Gilpin's book on the history of Calgary on the Elbow is available at bookstores.

The Elbow: A River in the Life of the City
Image http://www.temerondetselig.com/Elbow%20Valley.htm


From the earleist days, the Elbow River has been an important part of Calgary's history. This was the area around which the burgeoning city of Calgary started. From the earliest people to present-day populaition, recognition has been given to the Elbow River, not only as a busines connection, but also as an important recreation area. The Glenmore Dam was subsequently planned and finally constructed, adding to the commercial importance of the Elbow River and adding to the recreation area. Captain John Palliser missed the Elbow River in his early explorations of the area but it was not missed by subsequent enterpreneurs, the RCMP, the Canadian Pacific Railway. This key area of growth for the city then spread further afield, but the Elbow River has always been a central part of Calgary. John Gilpin has provided indepth and extensive research on this topic, correcting some earlier settlement statements and adding very considerable depth to the knowledge about this important area.

Contents:

1. Calgary on the Elbow, 1875-1884
2. The Elbow and the New Town of Calgary, 1885-1905
3. Greater Calgary and the Elbow River, 1906-1914
4. War, Recession, and the Prosperity Mirage, 1914-1929
5. The Waterworks Question and the Great Depression, 1929-1933
6. Community Use and Exclusion on the Elbow, 1930-1945
7. Greater Calgary Revisited, 1947-1963
Bibliographical Essay

978-1-55059-378-5, 2010, 7¼x9, pb., 263 pages, 57 bxw photos, $31.95
newsposter
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:13 am

Postby newsposter » Fri Apr 29, 2011 9:36 am

Little river elbows out a path from its bigger brother Bow's shadow
By David Finch, Calgary Herald April 24, 2011

Most of us think of the Bow as Calgary's river. But its little brother is just as interesting and a lot more fun. The Elbow River: A River in the Life of a City by John Gilpin was recently published by Calgary's own Detselig Enterprises... (see above post for more information on the book)

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Lit ... z1KvlZLQxD
newsposter
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:13 am


Return to News

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 31 guests