High Level
| High Level | ||
|---|---|---|
| Town | ||
| Town of High Level | ||
| ||
| Motto: Gateway to the South | ||
  High Level Location of High Level in Alberta | ||
| Coordinates: 58°31′08″N 117°07′11″W / 58.51889°N 117.11972°WCoordinates: 58°31′08″N 117°07′11″W / 58.51889°N 117.11972°W | ||
| Country |
 Canada | |
| Province |
 Alberta | |
| Region | Northern Alberta | |
| Census division | 17 | |
| Specialized municipality | Mackenzie County | |
| Settled | 1947 | |
| Town | 1965 | |
| Government[1] | ||
| • Mayor | Crystal McAteer | |
| • Governing body | High Level Town Council | |
| • MP | Chris Warkentin (Peace River-Cons) | |
| • MLA | Frank Oberle (Peace River-PC) | |
| Area (2011)[2] | ||
| • Total | 31.99 km2 (12.35 sq mi) | |
| Elevation[3] | 320 m (1,050 ft) | |
| Population (2011)[2] | ||
| • Total | 3,641 | |
| • Density | 113.8/km2 (295/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) | |
| Postal code span | T0H 1Z0 | |
| Area code(s) | +1-780 | |
| Website | Official website | |
High Level is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located at the intersection of the Mackenzie Highway (Highway 35) and Highway 58, approximately 733 kilometres (455 mi) north of Edmonton and 725 kilometres (450 mi) south of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. It is located within Mackenzie County and was founded in 1947.
History
The name High Level originated from the height of the land that separates the Peace River and the Hay River, although for many years, High Level was known as Tloc Moi (Hay Meadow).[4] The first fur traders arrived to this area in 1786, but it was not until 1947 that High Level was settled. High Level's first power plant was established in 1957, and a year later the first post office was built. The oil fields were discovered in the 1960s, and a railway was run to the area in 1963.[4]
Geography
High Level marks the northern extent of the Peace River Country, and has one of the northernmost lands suited for agriculture in Canada. It is surrounded to the north and west by muskeg tundra.
Climate
High Level has a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc), with precipitation falling chiefly during the spring and summer, and wide temperature variations. The hottest recorded temperature 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) was on August 9, 1985, with the coldest recorded temperature -50.6 °C (-59.1 °F) on January 13, 1972. The name notwithstanding, this town lies at a low elevation for an Alberta community and the regional topography contributes to the extremes of temperature. In winter, very cold air often pools over the area. In summer, air masses originating from higher elevations warm by compression as they descend to High Level.
| Climate data for High Level Airport (1981−2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | 11.4 | 14.2 | 16.4 | 29.8 | 33.8 | 35.0 | 39.8 | 36.4 | 32.2 | 26.2 | 13.4 | 13.7 | 39.8 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 11.3 (52.3) |
14.6 (58.3) |
17.4 (63.3) |
30.2 (86.4) |
33.9 (93) |
31.5 (88.7) |
34.4 (93.9) |
35.2 (95.4) |
30.2 (86.4) |
25.2 (77.4) |
15.0 (59) |
14.2 (57.6) |
35.2 (95.4) |
| Average high °C (°F) | −15.0 (5) |
−10.4 (13.3) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
8.7 (47.7) |
16.2 (61.2) |
21.3 (70.3) |
23.0 (73.4) |
21.1 (70) |
14.8 (58.6) |
5.3 (41.5) |
−7.7 (18.1) |
−12.8 (9) |
5.2 (41.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −20.4 (−4.7) |
−16.9 (1.6) |
−9.4 (15.1) |
2.0 (35.6) |
9.1 (48.4) |
14.3 (57.7) |
16.5 (61.7) |
14.4 (57.9) |
8.4 (47.1) |
0.4 (32.7) |
−12.3 (9.9) |
−18.2 (−0.8) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −25.8 (−14.4) |
−23.3 (−9.9) |
−16.4 (2.5) |
−4.7 (23.5) |
2.0 (35.6) |
7.3 (45.1) |
9.9 (49.8) |
7.6 (45.7) |
1.9 (35.4) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
−16.8 (1.8) |
−23.5 (−10.3) |
−7.2 (19) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −50.6 (−59.1) |
−46.1 (−51) |
−45.0 (−49) |
−32.2 (−26) |
−13.7 (7.3) |
−3.6 (25.5) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−13.9 (7) |
−36.3 (−33.3) |
−43.4 (−46.1) |
−47.2 (−53) |
−50.6 (−59.1) |
| Record low wind chill | −57.1 | −51.1 | −50.3 | −35.8 | −22.1 | −3.8 | 0.0 | −6.1 | −17.5 | −32.9 | −53.0 | −54.5 | −57.1 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 19.5 (0.768) |
17.5 (0.689) |
18.2 (0.717) |
14.7 (0.579) |
35.8 (1.409) |
51.3 (2.02) |
66.2 (2.606) |
43.3 (1.705) |
31.6 (1.244) |
30.6 (1.205) |
24.5 (0.965) |
18.8 (0.74) |
372.1 (14.65) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.67 (0.0264) |
0.43 (0.0169) |
1.2 (0.047) |
7.9 (0.311) |
30.2 (1.189) |
51.3 (2.02) |
66.2 (2.606) |
43.2 (1.701) |
28.8 (1.134) |
13.4 (0.528) |
1.2 (0.047) |
0.52 (0.0205) |
245.0 (9.646) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 24.1 (9.49) |
21.1 (8.31) |
21.5 (8.46) |
7.6 (2.99) |
6.1 (2.4) |
0.01 (0.004) |
0.0 (0) |
0.09 (0.035) |
2.6 (1.02) |
18.6 (7.32) |
28.8 (11.34) |
23.7 (9.33) |
154.2 (60.71) |
| Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 12.0 | 10.2 | 8.0 | 5.5 | 9.4 | 11.2 | 13.0 | 11.7 | 10.1 | 9.7 | 12.2 | 11.0 | 124.0 |
| Avg. rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.52 | 0.42 | 0.48 | 3.0 | 8.8 | 11.2 | 13.0 | 11.7 | 9.6 | 4.9 | 1.2 | 0.72 | 65.4 |
| Avg. snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 12.0 | 10.6 | 8.2 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 0.04 | 0.0 | 0.07 | 0.81 | 6.0 | 12.4 | 11.5 | 66.4 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 52.6 | 96.2 | 178.5 | 239.4 | 280.1 | 298.2 | 295.2 | 264.4 | 168.0 | 101.3 | 46.0 | 35.3 | 2,055.1 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 23.8 | 36.8 | 48.9 | 55.4 | 53.7 | 54.5 | 54.1 | 55.3 | 43.5 | 31.7 | 19.5 | 17.7 | 41.2 |
| Source: Environment Canada[5] | |||||||||||||
Wildlife
High Level has a variety of wildlife, including wolves, coyotes, ravens, and many types of insects. Hunters can find moose, deer, bear and geese. There are over 150 species of birds known to nest in the area.[4]
Demographics
In the 2011 Census, the Town of High Level had a population of 3,641 living in 1,272 of its 1,463 total dwellings, a -6.3% change from its 2006 population of 3,887. With a land area of 31.99 km2 (12.35 sq mi), it had a population density of 113.8/km2 (294.8/sq mi) in 2011.[2] Of its population in 2011, 50.3% (1,830) were male and 49.7% (1,810) were female.[6]
According to the 2006 census, High Level had a:
- population of 3,887 living in 1,519 dwellings, a 12.9% increase from 2001;
- land area of 31.99 km2 (12.35 sq mi); and
- population density of 131.3/km2 (340/sq mi).[7]
Economy
The area surrounding High Level is known for its oil reserves and forests. Two large oil and gas fields, Rainbow Lake and Zama, are located west of the town, which provides services to the oil patch. One OSB mill (which closed in 2007) is located south of High Level and a dimensional lumber mill is located in the town's industrial area. The mill is estimated to be reopened this fall, work is underway revamping the mill and preparing for a milling season this winter.
Government
The town has a council consisting of a mayor (Crystal McAteer) and six councillors (Scott Chandler, Ellis Forest, Chris MacLeod, Stephanie Milton, Michael Morgan, and Jacy Rapke).[1]
Infrastructure
Both airplane and helicopter services are available in High Level. Due to the 'remote' or northern location, medevac and chartered services, provided by Nor-Alta Aviation, Gemini Helicopters and Delta Helicopters, are offered to serve the surrounding communities.
Medevac and air charter company Airborne Energy Solutions provides fixed-wing and rotary services internationally.
Telephone service is provided by the incumbent carrier Telus as well as Northwestel.
Education
High Level has three public schools and one private school.
- High Level Public School was the first school built in High Level and had all grades, K-12, until Florence MacDougall Community School opened. It now goes from grade 7-12.
- Spirit of the North Community School is the newest school in High Level and opened in 2000; it houses grades 4-6.
- Florence MacDougall Community School goes from kindergarten through third grade.
- High Level Christian Academy goes from kindergarten through grade 9, after which students transfer to High Level Public School.
Media
The local radio station is CKHL-FM 102.1, part of the YL Country network of stations based at CKYL in Peace River. In addition, two radio services have repeaters: CBXL 99.5 FM, carrying CBC Radio One as a repeater of CBX Edmonton, and CFKX-FM 106.1, repeating CKKX-FM from Peace River. The local newspaper is The Echo.
Television is available by way of locally-owned low-powered analogue repeaters of CITV-DT Edmonton (CH2807 channel 10) and CHAN-DT Vancouver (CH2808 channel 12),[8] both owned by the High Level Community Hall Society.[9][10]
The cable television system, in operation for 25 years as High Level Cable, was purchased in August 2006 by Northwestel Cable. Both analog and digital formats are available for television service. High-speed Internet service is also available from Northwestel.
See also
- List of communities in Alberta
- List of towns in Alberta
- High Level Airport
- Tom Clancy's Endwar (Berkley Books 2008): High Level is the site of a major battle between American and Russian forces in this novel about WWIII in which Russia invades Canada for the purpose of acquiring additional sources of oil.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. March 20, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
- ↑ "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)" (PDF) (PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229). Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 High Level's History
- ↑ "High Level Airport, Alberta". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment Canada. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
- ↑ "Census profile: High Level, T, Alberta (census subdivision)". Statistics Canada. April 28, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ↑ Statistics Canada. "Canada 2006 Census: High Level - Community Profile". Retrieved 2007-06-11.
- ↑ w9wi.com: TV stations in Alberta
- ↑ REC Broadcast Query: CH2807
- ↑ REC Broadcast Query: CH2808
External links
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Zama City | Hay River, NWT | Wood Buffalo National Park | |
| Rainbow Lake |  |
Fort Vermilion | ||
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| Chinchaga Wildland Park | Manning | La Crete |
