facts about the saskatchewan river

Founded 1935. . Signs of these initial cities still remain today in areas such as Fort Edmonton, Fort Battleford, Prince Albert, and Cumberland House. organization devoted to teaching Canadians more about our shared country. Other wetlands throughout the Saskatchewan River basin also provide essential habitats for waterfowl. Saskatchewans natural vegetation is divided from north to south into six fairly distinct zones. The flag of Saskatchewan is green and gold. [citation needed], The North Saskatchewan River has always been a major trade route from Hudson Bay and central Canada across the Canadian Prairies to the Canadian Rockies. A band of subarctic forest tundra exists along the northern boundary. The Forks Generating Station would be located 18km (11mi) downstream of the North and South Saskatchewan River Forks, and would be approximately the same size as the Nipawin Station (255MW of baseload power, and 420MW of peak power). Signing up enhances your TCE experience with the ability to save items to your personal reading list, and access the interactive map. 3. [12] Since its founding, the city of Saskatoon has dealt with a number of slope failures. The texture of these soils ranges from loamy sands to clays. been shaped during the Quaternary period (within the last 2.58 million years). The province lies between Alberta on the west and Manitoba to the east, and between the Northwest Territories on the north and the states of Montana and North Dakota on the south, 588,239.21 sq. Due to the large variety of species as well as populations of waterfowl, the delta, along with Tobin Lake, has been designated as important waterfowl habitat. Its also home to 48 species of fish, including walleye, northern pike and the endangered lake sturgeon. The river begins above 1,800 metres (5,900ft) at the toe of the Saskatchewan Glacier in the Columbia Icefield, and flows southeast through Banff National Park alongside the Icefields Parkway. (map by The Canadian Encyclopedia) Geology Large areas of Saskatchewan once formed the bottom of a sea that disappeared millions of years ago. which help preserve wildlife and ecosystems. We also produce the Heritage Minutes and other programs. North Saskatchewan River is a glacier-fed river that flows from the Canadian Rockies continental divide east to central Saskatchewan, where it joins with the South Saskatchewan River to make up the Saskatchewan River. The Cypress Hills are the highest point of land in Canada between the Rocky Mountains and The northern third of the province is marked by swamp and muskeg, lichened rock and forest characteristic of the Canadian Shield. [citation needed], The first bridge across the river opened in 1900, the Low Level Bridge (Edmonton). A superficial view of maps of Saskatchewan suggests that the province has an abundance of water. Ward, N. (2023). (Show more) Related Places: United States Canada Minnesota North Dakota See all related content [4] Cutting across Edmonton and the Capital Region. [22], With the arrival of the railroad in Western Canada, steamboat shipping on the North Saskatchewan tapered off, but steamboats operated in the Edmonton area until the economic crash of 1912-14. Erosion, molten uprisings, the ebb and flow of the sea all contributed, in different geological eras, to the development of various geological formations. The Red Deer River is a river in Alberta and a small portion of Saskatchewan, Canada. ". [9][10] Illegal introductions of non native species can have serious wide-ranging negative impacts on the ecosystem. Saskatchewan River BasinFind out more about the Saskatchewan River basin from the Partners for the Saskatchewan River Basin website. It is a major tributary of the South Saskatchewan River and is part of the larger Saskatchewan-Nelson system that empties into Hudson Bay. Canadians should have access to free, impartial, fact-checked, regularly updated information In the mid-19th century Metis settlements became important along stretches of the Saskatchewan river system, notably at the Southbranch Settlement, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and St. Albert, Alberta. 5 Facts About Saskatchewan River. Construction began in the 1910s and was later abandoned. [17], Fish species include walleye, sauger, yellow perch, northern pike, lake trout, rainbow trout, goldeye, lake whitefish, cisco, lake sturgeon, burbot, quillback, longnose sucker, white sucker, and shorthead redhorse. Munroe, Susan. [30] Though having a higher peak generating capacity than the Bighorn Dam, the hydrology of the Brazeau means that its average annual electricity production is a slightly smaller 397,000MWh. is a continuing problem in the province. [28] The plan was later shelved in light of economic and environmental concerns. In, Newton, Brandi. [3], A 2009 report,[5] produced by WWF-Canada which analysed the river flow on ten major Canadian rivers reported that the South Saskatchewan River was the most at risk. Northern Ontario is mostly uninhabited. Its rolling and hilly terrain is distinct from that of the grain belt. [29], One of the North Saskatchewan's major tributaries, the Brazeau River, houses the Brazeau Hydroelectric Plant. The final section of the river, from Prince Albert to the Saskatchewan River Forks, has many rapids. At this point, it turns north where it eventually arrives at Abraham Lake. ThoughtCo, Aug. 25, 2020, thoughtco.com/saskatchewan-facts-508585. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Conversely, the province has also experienced January temperatures well above freezing and -In 1874 North West Mounted Police arrived to establish law and order. For example, The Saskatchewan River is 1,939 km long from the Rocky Mountains headwaters to Cedar Lake in central Manitoba. Fur trade on the lower river: The first European to ascend the river as far as the forks was Louis-Joseph Gaultier de La Vrendrye in spring 1739. The river was used commercially for many years to carry flatboats of settlers goods and construction materials downstream from Edmonton, to float thousands of logs in the annual log drive downstream to Edmonton prior to the First World War, as a source of ice blocks for home owners' iceboxes. Saskatchewan Facts. 10 Facts About North Saskatchewan River 1. The Saskatchewan River is one of the great rivers of North America. Southeast of The Pas, it forms several streams in a delta on the northwest side of Cedar Lake, then exiting the lake on its southeast end and flowing approximately 5km (3mi) to Lake Winnipeg, entering on the northwest shore north of Long Point. Two major hydroelectric stations exist along the Saskatchewan portion of the river: E.B. [16], The South Saskatchewan River (Empress to Lancer Ferry) (SK 046) IBA (505609N 1095206W / 50.9359N 109.8682W / 50.9359; -109.8682) is in Saskatchewan and follows the course of the South Saskatchewan River from the Alberta / Saskatchewan border east to the Lancer Ferry crossing and includes the river's valley and the fork with the Red Deer River. The glaciers and perpetual snows of the mountain peaks feed the river year-round. The waters of Lake Winnipeg eventually drain into Hudson Bay, via the Nelson River. In addition to this the Hudson's Bay Company and North West Company both ran numerous fur posts up the river and its two branches throughout the late 18th to late 19th centuries. Illegal introductions of Carassius can be very harmful. [11], The river, labeled as the "Kish-stock-ewen" is identified on a Hudson's Bay Company map of 1760, produced from oral information from a First Nations man named Attickasish who had been Anthony Henday's guide. The river, like the province of Saskatchewan, takes its name from the Cree word kisiskciwani-spiy, meaning "swift flowing river". The altitudes of the grain belt drop markedly HISTORY -The earliest explorer was Henry Kelsey (1690). At lies both on the surface and in aquifers (underground layers of water-bearing rock). Kelsey paddled the upper South Saskatchewan, then travelled overland within the basin. Our team will be reviewing your submission and get back to you with any further questions. Low-lying, flat areas border the river for much of this section. 6. In, Ward, Norman. The Cypress Hills are the highest point of land in Canada between the Rocky Mountains and These two regions are the Interior Plains and the Canadian Shield. [12] The upper North Saskatchewan River contains cutthroat trout (although not native),[13] and bull trout[14], Like all rivers, the North Saskatchewan is subject to periodic flooding, beginning with rapid snowmelt in the mountains or prolonged periods of rain in the river basin. Bison jumps and pounds were common for large communal hunts performed between tribes. (2020, August 25). If you believe all Municipal wastewater can contain contaminants, including those from pharmaceutical and personal care products, as well as endocrine-disrupting compounds. Controlling riverbank development was a factor in establishing the Meewasin Valley Authority in 1979. Additionally, there are three hydroelectric dams on the Saskatchewan River, two at Tobin Lake in eastern Saskatchewan, the Nipawin Hydroelectric Station and the E.B. Campbell and Nipawin stations. These formations predated the sea, and there is evidence of impressive South of the Canadian Shield is the In Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro owns and operates Grand Rapids Generating Station.[6]. During times of water scarcity, it is particularly important for albertans to conserve water and use it as efficiently and productively as possible. 2.1arivers there are seven major river basins or watersheds, in alberta: Hay, Peace/slave, athabasca, beaver, north saskatchewan, south saskatchewan, and Milk. Each of the six zones corresponds roughly to particular soil deposits. Total enrollment: 725. The river continues in the northeast direction from there, cutting through a large area of wetlands. Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, Engineering Services, Alberta Regional Division. First Nations inhabiting the area of the rivers included at one time or another the Atsina, Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot Confederacy, Assiniboine, and Sioux. Mean flow is 280 m3/s, but varies throughout the year, largely controlled by several dams and reservoirs along the river system. The river was plied by a number of steamboats right up to the First World War, although for everyday freight the growing web of railway lines in the western prairies eventually replaced them. North Saskatchewan is the northern-most major river of the western prairies that flows into the Hudson Bay. 573 applied, 59% were admitted. The South Saskatchewan River flows through an arid, but agriculturally productive and urbanized region of the Canadian prairies, and is subject to numerous environmental stressors that affect water quality and quantity. Saskatchewan is heavily dependent on river flows and precipitation. Henry Kelsey penetrated the area in the 1690s for the Hudson's Bay Company, and Louis de la Corne, Chevalier de la Corne, established the farthest western post of the French Empire in America (See New France) just east of the Saskatchewan River Forks at Fort de la Corne. The river valley is dominated by cottonwood trees and shrubs, and increasingly home to invasive species, including bladder campion, leafy spurge, scentless chamomile, Canada thistle and perennial sow thistle. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Our team will be reviewing your submission and get back to you with any further questions. The commercial freshwater fisheries, although valuable locally where they exist, are among the smallest in Canada. area commonly called the grain belt. It is characterized by level or gently rolling plains and fertile soils. Prepared for: Western Irrigation District by Aquality Environmental Consulting Ltd., Edmonton, February 2010. The valley floor is heavily wooded and includes trees such as the eastern cottonwood, Manitoba maple, peach-leaved willow, andthe green ash. within the province is similarly unreliable. The South Saskatchewan River begins in a prairie grassland environment, although its tributaries, the Bow and Oldman rivers, flow from Rocky Mountains headwaters through foothill forests to the prairie. It is similar in size to Afghanistan. Saskatchewan River. "South Saskatchewan River". [2] At its end point at Saskatchewan River Forks it has a mean discharge of 245 cubic metres per second (8,700cuft/s). The name Saskatchewan has been derived from a Cree word which means "swift flowing river". The Bighorn Dam, on the river west of Nordegg, operated by TransAlca Ucilicics, can also affect the water . The first, the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, is the smallest area geographically, although the largest in terms of run-off and contributed water flow. European exploration and settlement also brought diseases that decimated First Nations populations, including smallpox outbreaks in 1780, 1838, 1856 and 1869. Both agriculture and industrial development (particularly the production of potash) require large amounts of water. South of the Canadian Shield is the The river basin was home to a large population of bison until European settlement which included the introduction of rifles and, eventually, railways brought the bison population to near extinction. Saskatchewan is known as one of the worlds great wheat producers. These drops in altitude cause the provinces extensive river systems to flow to Saskatchewan has three main climatic zones. The largest and most notable rivers are listed at the start, followed by rivers listed by drainage basin and then alphabetically. [6] Dickson Dam regulates water supply downstream on the Red Deer River; the Bassano Dam and 11 other dams divert water on the Bow River and in the Bow River basin; and the Oldman River Dam and Waterton-St. Mary Headworks System manage water flow downstream of the Oldman River. The construction of the Gardiner Dam in the 1960s, however, lessened the power of the river by diverting a substantial portion of the South Saskatchewan's natural flow into the Qu'Appelle River. Developers and governments have been cautioned to protect and restore the river with sustainable projects and limit water diversion. [20] This is significantly higher than the Bow River's peak height at 4.1 metres (13ft) and peak discharge of 1,750 cubic metres per second (62,000cuft/s) on June 21, that caused widespread flooding in Calgary. [citation needed], The 1915 flood of the North Saskatchewan River was one of the most dramatic in the history of Edmonton. Birds found at the site include the long-billed curlew, piping plover, loggerhead shrike, short-eared owl, ferruginous hawk, red-headed woodpecker, prairie falcon, turkey vulture, golden eagle, great horned owl, western screech owl, pileated woodpecker, western wood pewee, rock wren, alder flycatcher, yellow-breasted chat, and the great blue heron. [13], There are four Important Bird Areas (IBA) of Canada along the South Saskatchewan River. The river has long been used as a water-highway through central Canada. Saskatoon is a city in Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. It also includes a sandy region south of Lake Athabasca. A frantic phone call from Rocky Mountain House alerted local authorities to the flood's arrival. Power boat and jet ski riders, kayakers and paddle boarders all take full advantage of the waterway as soon as the ice thaws. is wooded, and nearly one-half of the stands yield a harvest. 5. For approximately 60 kilometres (37mi) near Saskatoon, the Meewasin Valley Authority is responsible for conservation of the river environment. This decrease is considered problematic, as floods normally recharge the wetlands by depositing nutrients. From there, the river flows east to Tobin Lake and into Manitoba, eventually emptying into Lake Winnipeg. It flows roughly eastward across Saskatchewan and Manitoba to empty into Lake Winnipeg. These formations are now part of The North and South Saskatchewan rivers are also highly regulated by hydroelectricity-producing dams and reservoirs, as well as diversions for irrigation. On the western boundary and across the southwest corner is another plains region of generally higher altitudes. about Canadas history and culture in both official languages, please consider Barrett & MacKay / All Canada Photos / Getty Images. Ward, Norman. The largest historic jump Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is in the Oldman River basin, a headwater tributary river to the South Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan River is one of the longest rivers in Canada, and measures approximately 550 kilometers in length. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 6 Facts About North Saskatchewan. The river peaked at a stage of 9.03m (29.6ft) with a peak instantaneous discharge of 2,710 cubic metres per second (96,000cuft/s) on June 23 in Edmonton. River Formation, Flow, and Mouth One of the longest and most historically important rivers in Canada, the Saskatchewan River formed the backbone of early life and settlements within the prairie provinces for many years. The larger aquifers are estimated to be capable of yielding about 10 per cent of the annual flow of the South Saskatchewan River. Last Updated: Article History Table of Contents Listen to article South Saskatchewan River Saskatoon, city, south-central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Saskatchewan extends from the U.S. border along the 49th parallel to the Northwest Territories border along the 60th parallel. area commonly called the grain belt. It is characterized by level or gently rolling plains and fertile soils. "Geography of Saskatchewan". The northern agricultural The river, named from a Cree word meaning swift-flowing current, was for long an important fur-trading route after first being explored by Henry Kelsey in 1690. Its rolling and hilly terrain is distinct from that of the grain belt. about Canadas history and culture in both official languages, please consider Saskatchewan is 651,036 km 2 (251,366 mi 2 ), making it the 7 th largest province or territory. Saskatchewan, province of Canada, one of the Prairie Provinces. In another sense the number of frost-free days is a misleading indicator of the growing season, as the provinces northern location also produces early sunrises and late sunsets in the summertime. South Saskatchewan River BasinLearn more about the rivers basin from this government of Alberta website. Since the late 19th century, there has been an ongoing effort to expand irrigation in the province. From Edmonton to the mouth of the Vermilion River, the North Saskatchewan flows through the plains-parkland divide, with occasional stretches of prairie. mountain ranges that eroded over time into the plains of today. Much of the most accessible surface Our team will be reviewing your submission and get back to you with any further questions. Wetlands are particularly important, as they provide habitats for migratory waterfowl and fish, naturally filter sediments and contaminants, and mitigate the effects of flooding. From Lake Winnipeg, its last major stop, the waters that started in Saskatchewan eventually drain from there into Hudson Bay, by way of the Nelson River. The first autumn frost usually comes in early September. The North and South Saskatchewan follow a roughly parallel path until the South Saskatchewan passes through Medicine Hat, Alberta, where it shifts northeast until it reaches the North Saskatchewan, just east of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. [5] The river runs in a well-defined valley with deep cuts in the landscape. This water In 169092, Henry Kelsey, a Hudsons Bay Company (HBC) employee, became the first European to explore the Saskatchewan River, although the HBC ultimately ignored the river until Anthony Henday, another employee, set out to expand trade into the upper basin in 1754. Saskatchewan is divided by two of Canadas seven physiographic regions. Examples include Fort Edmonton (Edmonton, Alberta), Fort Battleford (Battleford, Saskatchewan), Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and Cumberland House, Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan River, largest river system of the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada, rising in the Canadian Rockies of western Alberta in two great headstreams, the North and South Saskatchewan rivers (800 miles [1,287 km] and 865 miles [1,392 km] long, respectively); these cross the Saskatchewan provincial boundary 200 miles (320 km) . When including its longest tributary, the South Saskatchewan River, the Saskatchewan River is the fourth-longest river in Canada. The South Saskatchewan River weaves right through the city's centre, and we're more than happy to share the glorious space. The southern half of the province occasionally experiences tornadoes. Munroe, Susan. We also produce the Heritage Minutes and other programs. ThoughtCo. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. "Saskatchewan Facts." Campbell Dam, then enters the river delta (also called Cumberland Marshes), past Cumberland House and across the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border, through The Pas, and empties into Cedar Lake. The North Saskatchewan River and downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The act, with amendments, has facilitated the transformation of the agricultural landscape through the creation of dams and dugouts. During this time, canoes and york boats were the main mode of transportation, for travellers and traders. [7] The proposed Meridian dam 30 kilometres (19mi) west of Leader and 95 kilometres (59mi) north east of Medicine Hat was cancelled due to project costs outweighing the irrigation benefits. It is also Canada's most populous province as it is home to the nation's capital, Ottawa, and the world-class city of Toronto. North Saskatchewan contains 16 cities, the largest and smallest of which are Saskatoon and Melville, respectively. By the 1980s many permanent sandbars had formed due to the lowering of the level of the river. If you believe all As its borders largely follow the geographic coordinates of longitude and latitude, the province is roughly a quadrilateral, or a shape with four sides. It stretches about 550 kilometres (340mi) from where it is formed by the joining together of the North Saskatchewan and South Saskatchewan Rivers to Lake Winnipeg. The glaciers moved southwest across the land, leaving behind lakes. Water from the South Saskatchewan flowing through the dams provides approximately 19percent of the hydro-electricity generated by SaskPower. This is true both for the province as a whole and for the differing zones within it. The Canadian Encyclopedia is a project of Historica Canada, a non-profit, nonpartisan from the southwest to the northeast. [10] The River Valley Alliance, a non-profit organization composed of seven municipalities which border the North Saskatchewan River, is currently working to create a continuous trail network from the town of Devon to the city of Fort Saskatchewan a total of 100 kilometres (62mi). Starting in Alberta, the river goes right through Saskatchewan and ends up in Manitoba. -Settlers were encouraged to come and homestead. The Saskatchewan River, and its two main tributaries, are featured in The Arrogant Worms' song "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate". Saskatchewan's official animal is the white-tailed deer. soils, predominantly brown and black. Important cities, including Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert, are located on the Saskatchewan or on its tributariesthe Battle, Bow, Oldman, and Red Deer rivers. The first in a series of trading posts on the Saskatchewan, Fort Paskoyac, at present day The Pas, was built by Louis-Joseph de La Vrendrye in 1750.
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