Elkwater, Alberta

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Hamlet of Elkwater
Location of Elkwater in Alberta
Coordinates: 49°39′44″N 110°16′52″W / 49.66222, -110.28111
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
Region	Southern Alberta
Census division	1
County	Cypress
Elevation	1,234 m (4,049 ft)
Population (2001)
- Total	67
Time zone	MST (UTC-7)
Highway	Highway 41
Waterway	Elkwater Lake

Elkwater is a community at the western edge of the Cypress Hills in southeastern Alberta, Canada, 65 kilometers (40 mi) southeast of Medicine Hat. The main access route is via Alberta Highway 41 (Buffalo Trail), which leads south from the Trans Canada Highway.

The hamlet is located within Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park on the south edge of Elkwater Lake, and consists mostly of a collection of cabins.

Contents 1 Natural history 2 Administration 3 Accommodation 4 Other services and facilities 5 References

[edit] Natural history

During the last ice age the Cypress Hills was not covered with ice because it was high enough to rise above the surrounding flatlands. As a result it gives a pre-ice-age look at geology.

The Cypress Hills is much like the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and is similar in elevation. As a result thick pine forests cover the hills.

Animals found there include white-tailed deer, coyotes, elk, wild turkeys, and moose. Moose are not native to the Cypress Hills, but were introduced. Footprints that resemble that of a cougar have also been seen.

[edit] Administration

Since the Elkwater townsite is in a provincial park, it is administered by the provincial government. Residents can never own the land on which their cottages or homes are built. Leases must be negotiated with the provincial government.

[edit] Accommodation

Elkwater has one hotel, the Elkwater Lake Lodge & Resort, which features condos, cabins, and suites.

There are 6 campgrounds near the townsite. They are:

• Elkwater (Main)
• Elkwater Overflow
• Beaver Creek
• Ferguson Hill
• Lodgepole
• Firerock

To the east of Elkwater, camping can be found at Spruce Coulee and Reesor Lake. Closer to the Saskatchewan border, Battle Creek and Upper Graburn campgrounds are found. A number of group camp sites may also be rented.

Elkwater also has bed-and-breakfast accommodation, the Bar-Zee Bed & Breakfast.

[edit] Other services and facilities

Services and facilities include a convenience store, gas station, restaurant, visitor centre, ski hill, 9-hole golf course and a marina. Park administration offices for the Alberta section of the park are also located here.

	Medicine Hat	Irvine	Maple Creek	v • d • e
	Burdett		Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
		Elkwater
	Foremost		Consul

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[edit] References

[[1]] Elkwater Lake Lodge & Resort