940,039 - en.wikipedia.org. In the grain belt, for example, on 21 June the sun rises before 5 a.m. and sets after 9:30 p.m. For the same reason winter days are short. lies both on the surface and in aquifers (underground layers of water-bearing rock). The Saskatchewan River Forks is the confluence of the South and North Saskatchewan Rivers and is the beginning of the Saskatchewan River. With the establishment of permanent communities along the river's course, and the rise of an administrative/government structure, records exist recording floods in the North Saskatchewan for the past century. 3. [citation needed], Edmonton's North Saskatchewan River valley parks system is the largest system of urban parks in Canada, and covers both sides of the river valley's course through Edmonton. Prepared for: Western Irrigation District by Aquality Environmental Consulting Ltd., Edmonton, February 2010. [citation needed], The river peaked at a stage of 11.5 metres (38ft) with a peak instantaneous discharge of 4,520 cubic metres per second (160,000cuft/s). The Canadian Encyclopedia is a project of Historica Canada, a non-profit, nonpartisan Things to Do on The South Saskatchewan River | Boating & Kayaking PDF Facts About Water in Alberta The river is the site of several major dams (the largest of which is the Gardiner Dam, impounding Diefenbaker Lake, south of Saskatoon), and its basin contains Canadas largest irrigation district (more than 1,000,000 acres [400,000 hectares] along the South Saskatchewan River). The glaciers and perpetual snows of the mountain peaks feed the river year-round. 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. These areas still have flora and fauna showing significant variations from their counterparts in the rest of the province. In Saskatchewan, SaskPower owns and operates E.B. The main geological influence of the Quaternary period in Saskatchewan was glaciation. The dam was constructed in 1972 by Calgary Power. -Settlers were encouraged to come and homestead. The waters of these two rivers, in turn, originate from winter snowpack and rainfall in the Rocky Mountains near the British Columbia and Montana border. Newton, B. The largest historic jump Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is in the Oldman River basin, a headwater tributary river to the South Saskatchewan. 2008. 4. 10 Facts About North Saskatchewan River 1. Riverboats were introduced from the Red River of the North in the 19th century and remained an important means of transportation until the 1890s and the coming of railways to the area.[14]. The province is also home to 39 provincial parks and two national parks, all of The Saskatchewan River is one of the longest rivers in Canada, and measures approximately 550 kilometers in length. The extreme southwest the province shares the Cypress Hills with The combined streams continue eastward for 340 miles (550 km) to enter Lake Winnipeg (Manitoba) via Cedar Lake; at Grand Rapids, the point of influx, there is hydrodevelopment along a short, turbulent stretch of water. Other wetlands throughout the Saskatchewan River basin also provide essential habitats for waterfowl. From there, the river flows east to Tobin Lake and into Manitoba, eventually emptying into Lake Winnipeg. In geological terms much of the modern landscape is relatively young, having been shaped during the Quaternary period (within the last 2.58 million years). Saskatchewan is divided by two of Canadas seven physiographic regions. It flows east to Medicine Hat, Alberta, and turns northeast, crossing the Alberta-Saskatchewan border before being joined by the Red Deer River, then opens up to Lake Diefenbaker, a 225 km long reservoir formed by the Gardiner Dam, and continues through Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, before reaching The Forks at the confluence with the North Saskatchewan River and beginning of the Saskatchewan River. South Saskatchewan River | The Canadian Encyclopedia The Saskatchewan River and its two major tributaries formed an important transportation route during the precontact, fur trade, and early settlement periods in the Canadian West. Water from the South Saskatchewan flowing through the dams provides approximately 19percent of the hydro-electricity generated by SaskPower. 1. The Saskatchewan River is formed by the confluence of the North and South Saskatchewan rivers, the headwaters of which are in the Rocky Mountains. [citation needed], The first bridge across the river opened in 1900, the Low Level Bridge (Edmonton). Omissions? It is the 6th most populous province in Canada. Saskatchewan's official fruit is the Saskatoon Berry. The first known European to enter North Saskatchewan was Henry Kelsey in 1690, who travelled up the Saskatchewan River in hopes of trading fur with the region's indigenous peoples. During this time, canoes and york boats were the main mode of transportation, for travellers and traders. Labrador. grains are sensitive to frost from germination until harvest. [citation needed], The North Saskatchewan also witnessed a lively, although short-lived, era of steamboat shipping during the 1870s, 1880s, and 1890s. Developers and governments have been cautioned to protect and restore the river with sustainable projects and limit water diversion. Updates? km (227,120.43 sq. Its rolling and hilly terrain is distinct from that of the grain belt. Hudson Bay. To the west, the North Saskatchewan had the greatest number of posts. [2] At its end point at Saskatchewan River Forks it has a mean discharge of 245 cubic metres per second (8,700cuft/s). The most common varieties are walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, sauger, lake whitefish, goldeye, rainbow trout, brown trout, white sucker, burbot, longnose sucker, shorthead redhorse, lake sturgeon and mooneye. The commercial freshwater fisheries, although valuable locally where they exist, are among the smallest in Canada. All of these zones cross the province on a southeast diagonal. 10 Facts About North Saskatchewan River | FactSnippet [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. 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). [29], One of the North Saskatchewan's major tributaries, the Brazeau River, houses the Brazeau Hydroelectric Plant. Saskatchewan River BasinFind out more about the Saskatchewan River basin from the Partners for the Saskatchewan River Basin website. 57 Fun, Cool and Interesting Facts about Saskatchewan [19], The river peaked at a stage of 13.73 metres (45.0ft), a rise of 11.5 metres (38ft) above low flow, with an estimated peak instantaneous discharge of 5,800 cubic metres per second (200,000cuft/s). A rivalry between the French and HBC traders existed throughout the fur trade. The Assiniboine and Cree were instrumental in early European exploration and the fur trade. Saskatoon | History, Population, & Facts | Britannica Kelsey paddled the upper South Saskatchewan, then travelled overland within the basin. Red River Settlement | colony, Canada | Britannica [13], There are four Important Bird Areas (IBA) of Canada along the South Saskatchewan River. is wooded, and nearly one-half of the stands yield a harvest. In. 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. Because the river is so prominent throughout the province, the land itself has adopted the same name. It was founded in 1883 as the proposed capital of a temperance colony, and its name was derived from Mis-sask-quah-toomina, a Cree word for a local edible red berry. about Canadas history and culture in both official languages, please consider 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. 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 of this band is a broad region of northern coniferous forest. It rises in the Canadian Rockies of western Alberta in two great headstreams, the North and South Saskatchewan rivers (800 miles [1,287 kilometers] and 865 miles [1,392 kilometers] long, respectively). The South Saskatchewan River basin includes the traditional territory of the Assiniboine, Cree and Ojibwa near the rivers confluence with the North Saskatchewan, the Blackfoot Confederacy to the west, and the Mtis throughout. Downstream of Saskatoon, as the prairie transitions to boreal forest, the vegetation shifts to willow, aspen and shrubs. Brandi Newton The South Saskatchewan River (1,392 km long) is a heavily utilized water source in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan and is a major tributary to the Saskatchewan River, ultimately discharging to Hudson Bay. Thanks for contributing to The Canadian Encyclopedia. It flows roughly eastward across Saskatchewan and Manitoba to empty into Lake Winnipeg. Saskatchewan is known as one of the worlds great wheat producers. miles) (Statistics Canada, 2011 Census), 1,033,381 (Statistics Canada, 2011 Census). The river, like the province of Saskatchewan, takes its name from the Cree word kisiskciwani-spiy, meaning "swift flowing river". The name Saskatchewan has been derived from a Cree word which means "swift flowing river". Municipal wastewater can contain contaminants, including those from pharmaceutical and personal care products, as well as endocrine-disrupting compounds. River Formation, Flow, and Mouth At least one bridge in Saskatoon was destroyed by ice carried by the river. Here, it reaches The Pas where it meets the Carrot River. Saskatchewan River - Wikipedia Saskatchewan River | The Canadian Encyclopedia It is similar in size to Afghanistan. We also produce the Heritage Minutes and other programs. FactSnippet No. The Saskatchewan River (Cree: kisiskciwani-spiy, "swift flowing river") is a major river in Canada. Campbell and Nipawin stations. . For approximately 60 kilometres (37mi) near Saskatoon, the Meewasin Valley Authority is responsible for conservation of the river environment. The terrain is hilly and rough, with a deeper and more defined valley. The Canadian Encyclopedia is a project of Historica Canada, a non-profit, nonpartisan At These two regions are the Interior Plains and the Canadian Shield. The South Saskatchewan River flows through an agriculturally productive region and is prone to periodic droughts and floods. There's so many ways to 'Bask on the Sask'from rafting, canoeing, kayaking, even floating! 2.1arivers there are seven major river basins or watersheds, in alberta: Hay, Peace/slave, athabasca, beaver, north saskatchewan, south saskatchewan, and Milk. Saskatchewan is 651,036 km 2 (251,366 mi 2 ), making it the 7 th largest province or territory. Its a major tributary to the Nelson River, ultimately draining into Hudson Bay. water is in the north, where agricultural settlement is minimal. The first autumn frost usually comes in early September. 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. The North Saskatchewan River looks less like chocolate milk than usual. [9][10] Illegal introductions of non native species can have serious wide-ranging negative impacts on the ecosystem. No singular purpose has dominated dam planning in the basin, indeed, hydroelectric development, flood control, and water diversion schemes have all underpinned proposals to construct dams on the river. [4], Downstream from the dam the river flows north through Saskatoon and joins the North Saskatchewan River east of Prince Albert at the Saskatchewan River Forks thus forming the Saskatchewan River. The South Saskatchewan River weaves right through the city's centre, and we're more than happy to share the glorious space. 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. 1. Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, Engineering Services, Alberta Regional Division. European exploration and settlement also brought diseases that decimated First Nations populations, including smallpox outbreaks in 1780, 1838, 1856 and 1869. [18], The University Bridge over the South Saskatchewan River at, The South Saskatchewan River drainage basin, List of crossings of the South Saskatchewan River, "The effects of the management of Lake Diefenbaker on downstream flooding", "South Saskatchewan River Basin Water Management Plan", "Sask Water to study Meridian Dam Proposal", "Alberta, Saskatchewan shelve plans for Meridian Dam", "Morphology of the South Saskatchewan River Valley: outlook to Saskatoon", "South Saskatchewan River (Empress to Lancer Ferry)", Partners for the Saskatchewan River Basin, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=South_Saskatchewan_River&oldid=1155602406, This page was last edited on 18 May 2023, at 22:40. When including its longest tributary, the South Saskatchewan River, the Saskatchewan River is the fourth-longest river in Canada. FactSnippet No. From the north end of the marshlands the river flows eastwards into west-central Manitoba. organization devoted to teaching Canadians more about our shared country. If you believe all Barrett & MacKay / All Canada Photos / Getty Images. At their largest these lakes covered most of the province. In 169092, Henry Kelsey became the first European to reach the South Saskatchewan River, aided by First Nations guides. 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. By 1776, the North West Company had begun 10 travel up the North Saskatchewan River to Declining water quantity may result in inadequate in-stream flow requirements to sustain aquatic species, including fish and benthic invertebrates. A superficial view of maps of Saskatchewan suggests that the province has an abundance of water. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. [3] The Red Deer River is a major tributary of the South Saskatchewan merging 16 kilometres (10mi) east of the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. During the fur trade era, birch bark canoes and York boats travelled up and down the Saskatchewan delivering trade goods and amassing furs for transportation to Europe. On the western boundary and across the southwest corner is another plains region of generally higher altitudes. Water quality is negatively impacted by agricultural runoff, including pesticides and fertilizers as well as municipal wastewater and stormwater runoff to the river and its tributaries. Instead, the river's main function is for hydroelectric power. [citation needed], The first hydroelectric development on the North Saskatchewan was planned in 1910 near the Town of Drayton Valley. [7], Its Cree name is kisiskciwanispiy, meaning 'swift current'. When including its longest tributary, the South Saskatchewan River, the Saskatchewan River is the fourth-longest river in Canada. Low-lying, flat areas border the river for much of this section. Water withdrawals in the South Saskatchewan River basin are the highest of any river basin in Canada, and since 2006 the basin has been closed to new water licenses in Alberta. Indigenous people have inhabited the South Saskatchewan River basin for over 10,000 years, fishing from the river and hunting bison, woodland caribou, moose and small mammals. The river's importance continued after the amalgamation of the HBC and the NWC. Corrections? This area is generally inhospitable to Mammals in the basin include black bear, elk, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, bison, beaver, muskrat, porcupine and a number of smaller mammals, and birds include several species of hawk, grouse, goose and owl, plus trumpeter swan, osprey and American white pelican. 1,256,478 2. Numerous lakes in the Saskatoon area were formed by oxbows of the South Saskatchewan River, most notably Moon Lake and Pike Lake. Saskatchewan River - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help The river's tributaries in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are also large and important rivers. The Canadian Northern Railway Bridge (Prince Albert) (1907-9), which also at first carried foot and wheeled traffic, and the Battleford bridge (ca. Since the late 19th century, there has been an ongoing effort to expand irrigation in the province. [11], Fish species include: walleye, sauger, yellow perch, northern pike, goldeye, mooneye, lake sturgeon, mountain whitefish, burbot, longnose sucker, white sucker and shorthead redhorse. Northern Ontario is mostly uninhabited. Saskatchewan is the only province without a natural border. "Saskatchewan Facts." The southern half of the province occasionally experiences tornadoes. The Saskatchewan River is 1,939 km long from the Rocky Mountains headwaters to Cedar Lake in central Manitoba. On the western boundary and across the southwest corner is another plains region of generally higher altitudes. Canadians should have access to free, impartial, fact-checked, regularly updated information areas in the grain belt, to semi-arid steppes in the southwest. https://www.thoughtco.com/saskatchewan-facts-508585 (accessed July 1, 2023). The river forms in central Saskatchewan, a province roughly in the middle of Canada, where the North Saskatchewan and South Saskatchewan Rivers converge. is a continuing problem in the province. [citation needed], Along with many other rivers in central and southern Alberta during late June, the North Saskatchewan saw significantly higher water levels and flow rates. The Cypress Hills are the highest point of land in Canada between the Rocky Mountains and The site covers an area of 208.6km (129.6mi). The 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 Red Deer River is a river in Alberta and a small portion of Saskatchewan, Canada. [26], During the 1960s and 1970s, a major dam was planned on the North Saskatchewan near the Hamlet of Hairy Hill, Alberta, about 160 kilometres (100mi) downstream from Edmonton. The clear, aquamarine waters have revealed hidden sandbars, darting fish, submerged shopping carts and a flood of . ThoughtCo. Almost 10% of Saskatchewan is water, including over 100,000 lakes. In 2008 the presence of reproducing Prussian carp were found in the Red Deer River drainage basin which flows into the Saskatchewan River. The river course can be divided into five distinct sections. Federal policy centred on water conservation is supplemented by related provincial policies. Mackenzie River | Canada''s Longest River, Wildlife & History [8], The section of the North Saskatchewan river that falls within the Banff National Park boundaries was designated a Canadian heritage river in 1989, due to its importance in the development of western Canada. List of rivers of Saskatchewan - Wikipedia 80+ Cool and Interesting Facts About Saskatchewan Climate change is projected to further decrease already strained water availability and increase the frequency of droughts as well as the frequency and magnitude of flooding. While the lyrics imply that the Saskatchewan flows through Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan,[15] only Saskatoon, on the South Saskatchewan River, sees the waters of this river system; the closest point to both Moose Jaw and Regina are Lake Diefenbaker, a bifurcation lake on the South Saskatchewan, roughly 100 kilometres (62mi) and 140 kilometres (87mi) to their west-northwest, respectively. Cumberland House, built in 1774 by Samuel Hearne on the lower Saskatchewan, was HBCs first inland trading post and the oldest permanent settlement in Saskatchewan. They include: May 11, 2007 NASA photo of a portion of the Saskatchewan River Delta and Cedar Lake. been shaped during the Quaternary period (within the last 2.58 million years). The Saskatchewan River was a major transportation route for First Nations for thousands of years and was an instrumental transportation and resource corridor during the fur trade and early European exploration. The oldest formations are from the Precambrian era (about 4.6 billion years to 5.41 million years ago).

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