Bow Valley

For the community in the United States, see Bow Valley, Nebraska.
View from Morant's Curve in Banff National Park
View from Canadian Pacific Railway, 1914

Bow Valley is a valley located along the upper Bow River in Alberta, Canada.

The name "Bow" refers to the reeds that grew along its banks and which were used by the local First Nations peoples to make bows; the Peigan name for the river is "Makhabn", meaning "river where bow weeds grow".[1]

Parks

Three Sisters ridge above the Bow Valley

Bow Valley Provincial Park (part of the Kananaskis Country park system) is established east of the Canadian Rockies in the arch of the valley, while the upper course of the Bow River flows through the Banff National Park. The Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park is located between the Banff National Park and Canmore in the Bow River Valley.

Numerous other recreation areas dot the valley. Provincial Recreation Areas are established at Three Sisters, Gap Lake, Grotto Mountain, Lac des Arcs, Heart Ridge, Heart Mountain, Ghost Reservoir and other locations.

Lakes

Many lakes, glacial and artificial, are found in the Bow Valley:

References

  1. ↑ Bow Riverkeeper article about the river.

Coordinates: 51°10′02″N 115°28′46″W / 51.16711°N 115.47953°W