Sunwapta Falls Rafting

Sunwapta River Rafting

Save money by driving yourself instead of paying for a transfer. Each Sunwapta river raft holds a six people and you are an important part of the crew. Novices and teens weighing over 90 pounds (41 kilograms) welcome - Be ready for an awesome river rafting adventure!
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Athabasca Glacier

Columbia Icefields & Glacier Skywalk

Walk on the Glass-Bottom Glacier Skywalk and tour the Athabasca Glacier in the Rugged Ice Explorer Vehicle from the Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre.
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Maligne Lake Boat Cruise

Maligne Lake Boat Cruise to Spirit Island, the largest glacially fed lake in the Canadian Rockies. Accessible only by boat, part of the UNESCO-listed Jasper National Park, admire views of imposing granite peaks, vibrant blue water, and ancient forests. View Maligne Lake's "Hall of the Gods" and keep your camera close as you scan the area for the eagles, bears, and deer that call this area home.
Maligne Lake Boat Cruise

Sunwapta Falls Water Flow

Sunwapta Falls' water flow fluctuates dramatically throughout the year, shaped by glacial melt, precipitation patterns, and seasonal weather.

Sunwapta Falls Water Flow

Sunwapta Falls' water flow fluctuates dramatically throughout the year, shaped by glacial melt, precipitation patterns, and seasonal weather.

Peak Flow (Late Spring to Mid‑Summer)

During the snowmelt from the Athabasca Glacier-typically May through July-the Sunwapta River surges to its highest volume. The falls regularly reach around 28 m³/s (1,000 cfs) at their strongest.

Low Flow (Winter & Early Spring)

In colder months, especially late winter and early spring before significant melt begins, flow can diminish drastically-even tapering near zero, with small dribbles shimmering through partially frozen channels.

Seasonal Variability

According to Alberta's river basin forecasts, the Athabasca watershed (including Sunwapta) recently showed flows at about 69% of average in April 2025, highlighting that annual flow can vary significantly depending on snowpack and melting rates.

In essence, Sunwapta Falls transitions from a near-trickle in deep winter to a powerful cascade in late spring, with a typical average flow of roughly 28 m³/s when the meltwater peaks. This seasonal rhythm offers stark and photogenic contrasts, giving visitors very different waterfall experiences depending on the month.
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