Be extra careful around rain-swollen Elbow and Bow rivers, Calgarians warned

City officials have issued a high stream flow advisory for the Elbow River, effective immediately, asa stubborn rain-soaked weather system remains stuck over the city.

The Calgary Fire Department isreminding people to take care around both of Calgary's majorrivers, which are running higher and faster than normal.

On Friday afternoon, Alberta Parks said Fish Creek Provincial Park in the city's south was flooding, with some trails washed out and others incurringsignificant damage.

Officials are closely monitoring the flow rate along the Elbow and Bow rivers, says spokeswoman Carol Henke.

"Where there's water, there's risk. These elevated flow rates dramatically increase the risk to those who are in and around the Elbow River, and sowe are issuing this advisory," she said.

Henke says the river's edge might also be unstable due to erosion, sochildren and pets should steer clear.

The city had to close Confederation Park in the northwest because of some localized flooding.

There are detours along some pathways for cyclists and pedestrians.

Environment Canada says Calgary typically gets 50 to 55 millimetres of rain in the entire month of May.

But from Wednesday through Friday evening, the city could get very close to that, senior climatologist David Phillips said.