Bighorn River (Alberta)

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Bighorn River
Bighorn River Valley and Crescent Falls
Bighorn River Valley and Crescent Falls
Origin Bighorn Meadows
52°17′34″N 116°32′39″W / 52.29278, -116.54417
Mouth North Saskatchewan River
52°21′17″N 116°14′51″W / 52.35472, -116.2475
Basin countries Flag of Canada Canada
Source elevation 1,985 m (6,512 ft)
Mouth elevation 1,216 m (3,990 ft)
The Bighorn River Canyon
The Bighorn River Canyon

The Bighorn River is a short river originating in the Alberta foothills, and is a tributary of the North Saskatchewan River. The river, as well as the nearby Bighorn Range and Bighorn Dam are named for the Bighorn sheep which dominate the area. The name first appeared in 1865.[1]

Flowing under Mount McGuire, Bighorn River soon takes on Littlehorn and Sunkay Creeks, before plummeting over the impressive Crescent Falls. After the falls, the Bighorn travels through a significant canyon, before passing through the Bighorn Indian Reserve. The river then empties into the North Saskatchewan River after Lake Abraham.[2]




[edit] References

  1. ^ Karamitsanis, Aphrodite (1991). Place Names of Alberta, Volume 1. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, pg. 22
  2. ^ Mussio Ventures (2004). Southwestern Alberta Backroad Mapbook, Burnaby: Mussio Ventures.

[edit] See also