Cardinal River

Cardinal River
Cardinal River from the Rocky Pass Trail
Origin	Cardinal River Headwaters 52°54′02″N 117°23′02″W / 52.90056°N 117.38389°W / 52.90056; -117.38389
Mouth	Brazeau River 52°51′52″N 116°35′15″W / 52.86444°N 116.58750°W / 52.86444; -116.58750
Basin countries	Alberta  Canada
Source elevation	2,224 m (7,297 ft)
Mouth elevation	1,288 m (4,226 ft)

Cardinal River is a short river in western Alberta, Canada. It flows from the Canadian Rockies, and empties into the Brazeau River, itself a major tributary of the North Saskatchewan River.

At its origin, just east of Jasper National Park, the Cardinal River forms in a basin between Tripoli, Cheviot, Prospect, Climax, and Blackface Mountains, as well as Mount Cardinal, in the Nikanassin Range. From there it flows east, through the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies and into the foothills. A portion of Grave Flats Road follows the river before it reaches the Bighorn Highway, where it empties into the Brazeau River south of Pembina Forks.

The Cardinal river, and other surrounding landmarks, are named for Jacques Cardinal, a local fur trader. His grave is located on the banks of the river.^[1]

Tributaries

• Toma Creek
• Russell Creek
• Nomad Creek
• Ruby Creek
  • Ruby Lakes, Flapjack Lake, Flapjack Creek
• Grave Creek
• Muskiki Creek
  • Muskiki Lake

The Cardinal River from the Cardinal River Road

See also

• List of Alberta rivers

References

Hydrography of Alberta Rivers Athabasca Battle Beaver Bow Brazeau Crowsnest Elbow Hay Little Bow Milk North Saskatchewan Oldman Peace Pembina Red Deer Slave Smoky South Saskatchewan Waterfalls Athabasca Bow Bridal Veil Crescent Crypt Elbow Panther Sunwapta Lakes Athabasca Beaverhill Bistcho Claire Cold La Biche Lesser Slave Pigeon Ste. Anne Sylvan Utikuma Wabamun Reservoirs Abraham Barrier Brazeau Chestermere Kananaskis McGregor Minnewanka Glenmore Milk River Ridge Sikome Gleniffer Glaciers Athabasca Bow Columbia Icefield Crowfoot Hector Peyto Saskatchewan Vulture Wapta Waputik Icefield Other Hay-Zama Wetlands Peace–Athabasca Delta Whooping Crane Summer Range (wetlands)