Rains combined with snow melt caused catastrophic flooding to multiple buildings and facilities across the 20-acre rodeo arena just eight days before their annual Calgary Stampede Festival. The water was about three meters deep in the rodeo infield and could be seen lapping at the top of the barns. Contaminated sludge left by flooding was up to a meter deep in some areas. The Saddledome was flooded up to the eighth row of seats.