Red Deer River

For the river in east central Saskatchewan and west central Manitoba, see Red Deer River (Manitoba).
Red Deer River
Red Deer River in Drumheller, Alberta
Location
CountryCanada
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationSawback Range, Red Deer Lakes
 • coordinates51°31′55.96″N 116°02′31.24″W / 51.5322111°N 116.0420111°W / 51.5322111; -116.0420111 (Red Deer River origin)
 • elevation2,200 m (7,200 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
South Saskatchewan River near Empress
 • coordinates
50°55′23.34″N 109°53′41.75″W / 50.9231500°N 109.8949306°W / 50.9231500; -109.8949306 (Red Deer River mouth)
 • elevation
579 m (1,900 ft)
Length724 km (450 mi)
Basin size45,100 km2 (17,400 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average70 m3/s (2,500 cu ft/s)[1]

The Red Deer River is a river in Alberta and a small portion of Saskatchewan, Canada. It is a major tributary of the South Saskatchewan River and is part of the larger Saskatchewan / Nelson system that empties into Hudson Bay.[2]

The river has a total length of 724 km (450 mi) and a drainage area of 45,100 km2 (17,400 sq mi). Its mean discharge is 70 m3/s (2,500 cu ft/s).[1]

The river is named for the translation of a native term for the river, wâwâskêsiw sîpiy, which means "elk river" in the Cree language.[3] "Red deer" was an alternative name for elk, referring to a closely related Eurasian species.

Communities located along the Red Deer River include Sundre, Red Deer, Drumheller, and Empress, The city of Brooks, as well as Dinosaur Provincial Park, are also located in the Red Deer River Basin. A glacial flood about 18,000 years ago eroded out a portion of this basin and apparently all or most of the scenic badlands bearing the dinosaur and other Cretaceous fossils.

History

Joseph Tyrrell discovered a huge coal seam here in 1883, besides large dinosaur skeletons.[4]

2013 Alberta flood

Main article: 2013 Alberta floods

In June 2013, Alberta, Canada, experienced heavy rainfall that triggered catastrophic flooding throughout much of the southern half of the province along the Bow, Elbow, Highwood, Oldman, and Red Deer rivers and tributaries. Twenty-four municipalities declared local states of emergency as water levels rose and numerous communities were placed under evacuation orders.[5] The Royal Canadian Mounted Police stated four people may have drowned near High River.[6] Over 100,000 people in the region were displaced.[7]

Course

The river originates on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, in the Sawback Range near the Skoki Valley inside Banff National Park, and then flows east through the mountains and foothills region. It turns north-east before Sundre and flows to an artificial reservoir named Gleniffer Lake, created in 1983 by the Dickson Dam and keeps this heading to the city of Red Deer, where it turns east, and then south before Stettler. It flows south with its valley protected by provincial and regional parks such as Tolman Badlands Heritage Rangeland, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park, Dry Island Corridor and Midland Provincial Park. At Drumheller it has a south-east direction, and while it flows through Dinosaur Provincial Park it turns east and flows to the Alberta/Saskatchewan border, which it crosses at Empress. It flows for 16 km (9.9 mi) through Saskatchewan before it merges into the South Saskatchewan River.

Tributaries

The waters of Ewing Lake, Little Fish Lake also flow into the Red Deer River.[9][10]

Fish species

Sport fish include: walleye, northern pike, sauger, lake whitefish, yellow perch, burbot, lake sturgeon, mountain whitefish, goldeye, brown trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout.

Other fish include: emerald shiner, river shiner, spottail shiner, flathead chub, longnose dace, quillback (quillback carpsucker), longnose sucker, white sucker, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, perch, spoonhead sculpin, lake chub, northern pearl dace, northern redbelly dace, finescale dace, fathead minnow and brook stickleback.

Gallery

Environmental concerns

Pipeline leaks

The Red Deer River is the water source for the City of Red Deer and the surrounding area. Pipelines cross under the river and there have been leaks disrupting access to potable water.[13] Increased water flow of the Red Deer River system during heavy rainfall in June 2008 eroded supporting soil, freely exposing a section of Pembina Pipeline Corporation's Cremona crude oil pipeline to the Red Deer River currents. About 75 to 125 barrels (11,900 to 19,900 L; 2,600 to 4,400 imp gal; 3,200 to 5,200 US gal) of crude oil flowed upstream from the break point under a Red Deer River channel, leaving an oily sheen on Gleniffer Reservoir and 6,800 kg (15,000 lb) of oil-soaked debris.[14][15] The remediation was not completed until 2011.[16]

Heavy rains in early June 2012 caused a similar but larger leak on a Plains Midstream Canada 46-year-old pipeline on a Red Deer River tributary, Jackson Creek, Alberta (51°52′19″N 114°36′23″W / 51.87194°N 114.60639°W / 51.87194; -114.60639 (Jackson Creek)[17]) near Gleniffer Lake and Dickson Dam,[18] which spilled approximately 1,000 and 3,000 barrels (160,000 and 480,000 L; 35,000 and 105,000 imp gal; 42,000 and 126,000 US gal) of light sour crude oil into the Red Deer River.[16][19]

Climate

Red Deer

Red Deer has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), with something of a semi-arid influence due to the city's location within Palliser's Triangle. The highest temperature ever recorded in Red Deer was 37.2 °C (99.0 °F) on 8 July 1906,[20] 2 July 1924,[21] and 28 & 29 June 1937.[22] The lowest recorded temperature was −50.6 °C (−59.1 °F) on 17 December 1924.[23] The city lies in the 4a plant hardiness zone.[24] Summers are typically warm and rainy with cool nights. Winters are typically long, cold, and very dry.

Climate data for Red Deer (Red Deer Regional Airport)
WMO ID: 71878; coordinates 52°10′43″N 113°53′35″W / 52.17861°N 113.89306°W / 52.17861; -113.89306 (Empress); elevation: 904.6 m (2,968 ft); 1981-2010 normals, extremes 1904−present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 10.5 17.3 24.8 28.2 37.0 35.0 38.5 37.1 34.2 27.8 21.7 14.8 38.5
Record high °C (°F) 14.5
(58.1) 		18.0
(64.4) 		24.8
(76.6) 		32.8
(91.0) 		33.3
(91.9) 		37.2
(99.0) 		37.2
(99.0) 		36.1
(97.0) 		35.0
(95.0) 		29.4
(84.9) 		22.8
(73.0) 		16.5
(61.7) 		37.2
(99.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −4.5
(23.9) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		2.9
(37.2) 		11.3
(52.3) 		16.8
(62.2) 		20.5
(68.9) 		23.1
(73.6) 		22.5
(72.5) 		17.3
(63.1) 		11.2
(52.2) 		1.3
(34.3) 		−3.2
(26.2) 		9.8
(49.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) −10.2
(13.6) 		−7.7
(18.1) 		−2.9
(26.8) 		4.8
(40.6) 		10.3
(50.5) 		14.5
(58.1) 		16.8
(62.2) 		15.9
(60.6) 		10.8
(51.4) 		5.0
(41.0) 		−3.8
(25.2) 		−8.5
(16.7) 		3.7
(38.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −16
(3) 		−13.7
(7.3) 		−8.7
(16.3) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		3.7
(38.7) 		8.4
(47.1) 		10.5
(50.9) 		9.2
(48.6) 		4.3
(39.7) 		−1.3
(29.7) 		−8.8
(16.2) 		−13.8
(7.2) 		−2.3
(27.9)
Record low °C (°F) −46.7
(−52.1) 		−44.4
(−47.9) 		−40.6
(−41.1) 		−31.7
(−25.1) 		−12.8
(9.0) 		−6.1
(21.0) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		−5.6
(21.9) 		−12.8
(9.0) 		−26.1
(−15.0) 		−37.2
(−35.0) 		−50.6
(−59.1) 		−50.6
(−59.1)
Record low wind chill −60 −54 −50 −39 −21 −7 0.0 −5 −14 −38 −49 −57 −60
Average precipitation mm (inches) 22.2
(0.87) 		13.1
(0.52) 		21.2
(0.83) 		21.5
(0.85) 		55.8
(2.20) 		89.3
(3.52) 		96.6
(3.80) 		63.1
(2.48) 		51.1
(2.01) 		20.7
(0.81) 		17.7
(0.70) 		14.1
(0.56) 		486.3
(19.15)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.1
(0.00) 		0.2
(0.01) 		0.8
(0.03) 		12.9
(0.51) 		51.9
(2.04) 		89.3
(3.52) 		96.6
(3.80) 		63.1
(2.48) 		48.7
(1.92) 		14.6
(0.57) 		1.8
(0.07) 		0.4
(0.02) 		380.4
(14.98)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 22.1
(8.7) 		12.9
(5.1) 		20.4
(8.0) 		8.5
(3.3) 		3.9
(1.5) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		2.4
(0.9) 		6.1
(2.4) 		15.8
(6.2) 		13.7
(5.4) 		105.9
(41.7)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 7.9 5.7 6.4 5.8 11.1 15.4 14.2 13.0 11.1 6.6 6.7 6.0 110.0
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 0.08 0.15 0.54 4.0 10.6 15.4 14.2 13.0 10.9 4.9 0.96 0.19 74.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 7.9 5.5 6.0 2.4 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.38 2.1 6.0 5.9 37.1
Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) 65.5 62.8 58.6 43.7 43.2 50.1 51.5 49.9 48 48.6 63.1 65.5 54.2
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[25][20][21][23][22][26]


Empress

Empress is located in the steppe region known as Palliser's Triangle and experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk). Winters are long, cold and dry, while summers are short, but with average daytime highs that are warm to hot, though nighttime lows are cool. Spring and autumn are quite short, essentially transition periods between winter and summer. Wide diurnal temperature ranges are regular, due to the aridity and moderately high elevation. Low humidity is prevalent throughout the year. Annual precipitation is very low, with an average of 311.6 mm (12.27 in), and is heavily concentrated in the warmer months. On average, the coldest month is January, with a mean temperature of −12 °C (10 °F), while the warmest is July, with a mean temperature of 19.8 °C (67.6 °F). The driest month is February, with an average of 8.6 mm (0.34 in) of precipitation, while the wettest is June, with an average of 68.9 mm (2.71 in).[27]

Climate data for Empress
Climate ID: 3022400; coordinates 50°57′21″N 110°00′22″W / 50.95583°N 110.00611°W / 50.95583; -110.00611 (Empress); elevation: 612.0 m (2,007.9 ft); 1981-2010 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 12.0
(53.6) 		17.0
(62.6) 		28.0
(82.4) 		32.0
(89.6) 		36.0
(96.8) 		41.1
(106.0) 		42.2
(108.0) 		41.7
(107.1) 		38.3
(100.9) 		31.7
(89.1) 		23.0
(73.4) 		15.0
(59.0) 		42.2
(108.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −6.5
(20.3) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		4.8
(40.6) 		13.9
(57.0) 		19.7
(67.5) 		23.8
(74.8) 		27.4
(81.3) 		27.0
(80.6) 		20.4
(68.7) 		12.9
(55.2) 		1.7
(35.1) 		−4.7
(23.5) 		11.5
(52.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −12.0
(10.4) 		−8.3
(17.1) 		−1.2
(29.8) 		6.6
(43.9) 		12.5
(54.5) 		16.9
(62.4) 		19.8
(67.6) 		19.1
(66.4) 		12.8
(55.0) 		5.8
(42.4) 		−3.8
(25.2) 		−10.1
(13.8) 		4.8
(40.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −17.5
(0.5) 		−14.1
(6.6) 		−7.2
(19.0) 		−0.7
(30.7) 		5.2
(41.4) 		9.9
(49.8) 		12.1
(53.8) 		11.1
(52.0) 		5.2
(41.4) 		−1.2
(29.8) 		−9.3
(15.3) 		−15.4
(4.3) 		−1.8
(28.8)
Record low °C (°F) −47.8
(−54.0) 		−45.6
(−50.1) 		−40.0
(−40.0) 		−28.9
(−20.0) 		−14.4
(6.1) 		−4.4
(24.1) 		0.0
(32.0) 		0.0
(32.0) 		−10.0
(14.0) 		−26.0
(−14.8) 		−36.5
(−33.7) 		−45.0
(−49.0) 		−47.8
(−54.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 14.2
(0.56) 		8.6
(0.34) 		12.7
(0.50) 		18.7
(0.74) 		38.8
(1.53) 		68.9
(2.71) 		50.3
(1.98) 		33.9
(1.33) 		28.5
(1.12) 		11.5
(0.45) 		10.8
(0.43) 		14.8
(0.58) 		311.6
(12.27)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.2
(0.01) 		0.3
(0.01) 		2.1
(0.08) 		13.8
(0.54) 		38.2
(1.50) 		68.9
(2.71) 		50.3
(1.98) 		33.9
(1.33) 		28.1
(1.11) 		7.5
(0.30) 		1.0
(0.04) 		0.4
(0.02) 		244.5
(9.63)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 13.9
(5.5) 		8.3
(3.3) 		10.6
(4.2) 		4.9
(1.9) 		0.7
(0.3) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.5
(0.2) 		4.1
(1.6) 		9.8
(3.9) 		14.8
(5.8) 		67.1
(26.4)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 4.3 2.6 3.6 3.5 6.5 10.0 6.9 5.8 5.4 3.3 3.0 4.3 59.1
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 0.12 0.12 0.5 2.7 6.4 10.0 6.9 5.8 5.4 2.4 0.32 0.24 40.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 4.2 2.5 3.1 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.04 1.1 2.6 4.0 18.8
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[27]


See also

References

  1. ^ a b Atlas of Canada. "Rivers in Canada". Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2007.
  2. ^ "From the Mountains to the Sea Summary of The State of The Saskatchewan River Basin" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  3. ^ "itwêwina: the online Cree dictionary". itwewina.altlab.app. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  4. ^ Barnes, Michael (1986). Fortunes in the Ground. Erin, Ontario: The Boston Mills Press. p. 198. ISBN 091978352X.
  5. ^ Wood, James (22 June 2013). "Harper, Redford promise to help". Calgary Herald. p. A5.
  6. ^ Frisk, Adam; Tucker, Ericka; Stone, Laura (21 June 2013). "RCMP: 4 possibly dead in Alberta floods as Calgary continues evacuation". Global News. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  7. ^ "4 feared dead from Alberta floods". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  8. ^ "Map of Jackson Creek, Alberta, River - Canada Geographical Names with Maps". Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Geographical Names (Red Deer River)". Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Atlas of Canada Toporama". Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  11. ^ "Assessment of Sport Fish Distribution and Relative Abundance in the Lower Red Deer River, Alberta, Phase II" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  12. ^ "Waskasoo | Kerry Wood Nature Centre | Fort Normandeau" (PDF).
  13. ^ "CBC.ca News - Alberta residents angry after oil spills into nearby lake". Archived from the original on 15 January 2013.
  14. ^ Brian Temple; Doug Buechler; Dave Grzyb; Murray Barber; Jenny Miller; Phil Hendy; Mike Bevan (11 February 2009). ERCB Investigation Report: Pembina Pipeline Corporation, Crude Oil Pipeline Failure, June 15, 2008 (.pdf) (Report). Energy Resources Conservation Board. Retrieved 16 June 2012. The pipeline, leased to Pembina, was built in 1959.
  15. ^ "Oil leaks into popular Alberta lake: Company previously fined in B.C. for pipeline rupture, spill in 2000". CBC. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  16. ^ a b Bob Weber (14 June 2012). "Alberta pressured to include leaks in environmental monitoring plan". Financial Post. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  17. ^ "Jackson Creek". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  18. ^ Name: Jackson Creek[dead link]
  19. ^ Stephen Ewart (16 June 2012). "Ewart: Calls growing for probe of aging pipeline system: Recent spills highlight ongoing risk". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  20. ^ a b "July 1906". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  21. ^ a b "July 1924". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  22. ^ a b "June 1937". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  23. ^ a b "December 1924". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  24. ^ "Plant Hardiness Zone by Municipality". Natural Resources Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  25. ^ "Red Deer A". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  26. ^ "Red Deer (1904–1974)". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  27. ^ a b "Empress, Alberta". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.