Elkwater, Alberta

Elkwater
Unincorporated community
Elkwater
Coordinates: 49°39′39″N 110°16′54″W / 49.66083°N 110.28167°W / 49.66083; -110.28167Coordinates: 49°39′39″N 110°16′54″W / 49.66083°N 110.28167°W / 49.66083; -110.28167
Country  Canada
Province  Alberta
Region Southern Alberta
Census division 1
Municipal district Cypress County
Area[1]
 • Land 2.83 km2 (1.09 sq mi)
Elevation 1,234 m (4,049 ft)
Population (2016)[1]
 • Total 84
Time zone MST (UTC-7)
Highway Highway 41
Waterway Elkwater Lake

Elkwater is an unincorporated community at the western edge of the Cypress Hills in southeastern Alberta, Canada, 65 kilometres (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 (Alberta Highway 1).

The former hamlet is located within Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park on the south edge of Elkwater Lake, and consists mostly of a collection of cabins. The name "Elkwater" is translated from Blackfoot.[2]

Geography

During the last ice age the Cypress Hills were not covered with ice because they were high enough to rise above the surrounding flatlands. As a result it has rare soils found on the upper plateau area which is the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador. The Elkwater townsite is elevated at 1,234 m (4,049 ft), the same altitude as Banff, resulting in much similar flora and fauna. Thick pine and spruce forests cover the hills.

Animals found there include white-tailed deer, coyote, elk, wild turkey, cougar and moose. Moose and wild turkeys are not native to the Cypress Hills, but were introduced.

Demographics

As a designated place in the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Elkwater recorded a population of 84 living in 40 of its 260 total private dwellings, a change of 68% from its 2011 population of 50. With a land area of 2.83 km2 (1.09 sq mi), it had a population density of 29.7/km2 (76.9/sq mi) in 2016.[1]

Cypress County indicates that the population of Elkwater was 60 in the 2011 Census.[3]

As a designated place in the 2011 Census, Elkwater had a population of 50 living in 29 of its 262 total dwellings, a -53.3% change from its 2006 population of 107. With a land area of 2.71 km2 (1.05 sq mi), it had a population density of 18.5/km2 (48/sq mi) in 2011.[4]

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.

Accommodation

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

There are 7 campgrounds near the townsite with approximately 450 campsites. They are:

To the east of Elkwater, camping can be found at Spruce Coulee and Reesor Lake. Closer to the Saskatchewan border, you will find Battle Creek campground. Four group camp sites are also available to rent.

Elkwater also has bed-and-breakfast and accommodation at the Bar-Zee Bed & Breakfast, located just north of the park.

Other services and facilities

Services and facilities include a convenience store, gas station, cafe, 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.

Climate

Elkwater experiences a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc) that falls just short of the boundary with the humid continental climate zone (Köppen Dfb). Winters are long and cold, while summers are short and warm. Precipitation is moderate, with an annual average of 529mm.

Climate data for Elkwater
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 5.7
(42.3)		 8.6
(47.5)		 16.1
(61)		 19.2
(66.6)		 28
(82)		 30
(86)		 31.9
(89.4)		 31
(88)		 30.1
(86.2)		 20.6
(69.1)		 17.5
(63.5)		 13.1
(55.6)		 31.9
(89.4)
Average high °C (°F) −4.5
(23.9)		 −0.7
(30.7)		 2.5
(36.5)		 7.7
(45.9)		 13.3
(55.9)		 16.9
(62.4)		 20
(68)		 19.9
(67.8)		 15.1
(59.2)		 10
(50)		 1.3
(34.3)		 −2
(28)		 8.29
(46.88)
Daily mean °C (°F) −9
(16)		 −4.5
(23.9)		 −1.8
(28.8)		 2.6
(36.7)		 8.1
(46.6)		 11.7
(53.1)		 14.7
(58.5)		 14.4
(57.9)		 9.8
(49.6)		 5.1
(41.2)		 −2.1
(28.2)		 −6.1
(21)		 3.58
(38.46)
Average low °C (°F) −13.5
(7.7)		 −8.2
(17.2)		 −6.1
(21)		 −2.6
(27.3)		 3
(37)		 6.4
(43.5)		 9.4
(48.9)		 8.8
(47.8)		 4.6
(40.3)		 0.1
(32.2)		 −5.5
(22.1)		 −10.1
(13.8)		 −1.14
(29.9)
Record low °C (°F) −26.9
(−16.4)		 −20.8
(−5.4)		 −18.8
(−1.8)		 −14.7
(5.5)		 −9
(16)		 −5
(23)		 −1
(30)		 −4
(25)		 −10
(14)		 −11.9
(10.6)		 −16.4
(2.5)		 −32.1
(−25.8)		 −32.1
(−25.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 33
(1.3)		 6
(0.24)		 23
(0.91)		 44
(1.73)		 81
(3.19)		 110
(4.33)		 70
(2.76)		 52
(2.05)		 32
(1.26)		 18
(0.71)		 21
(0.83)		 40
(1.57)		 529
(20.83)
Source: The Weather Network[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  2. ↑ Cypress Hills (Alberta) Historical Society (1991). Cypress Hills country. Elkwater, Alberta: Cypress Hills (Alberta) Historical Society. p. 137. ISBN 0-88925-918-6.
  3. ↑ "The Present: A Cypress County Snapshot". Cypress County. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  5. ↑ The Weather Network—Statistics: Elkwater, Alberta. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
Adjacent places of Elkwater, Alberta
 Medicine Hat Irvine Maple Creek
Burdett Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
   Elkwater  
Foremost Consul
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