Big Coulee, Alberta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Big Coulee
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Unincorporated
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Country | Canada |
Province | Alberta |
Region | Northern Alberta |
Census division | 13 |
Municipal district | Athabasca County |
Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
Big Coulee is a small place in northern Alberta, Canada. It is known as an unincorporated area. This means it does not have its own local government, like a town or city does. Instead, it is part of a larger area called Athabasca County.
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What is an Unincorporated Area?
An unincorporated area is a place that is not officially a city, town, or village. It does not have its own mayor or town council. Instead, it is governed by a larger regional government. For Big Coulee, this means Athabasca County manages its services.
How Unincorporated Areas Work
People living in unincorporated areas still get services. These services include things like roads, fire protection, and sometimes water. The larger county or municipal district provides these services. This is different from a city, which has its own local government to handle these tasks.
Why Some Places Are Unincorporated
Many unincorporated areas are small communities. They might not have enough people to form their own local government. Sometimes, they are rural areas with farms or scattered homes. Being part of a larger county helps them share resources. It also makes sure everyone gets important services.
Big Coulee's Location
Big Coulee is located in the northern part of Alberta. Alberta is one of Canada's ten provinces. Northern Alberta is known for its vast forests and natural landscapes. The area around Big Coulee is mostly rural.
Athabasca County
Big Coulee is part of Athabasca County. This county is a large municipal district in Alberta. It includes many small communities and rural areas. The county office is in the town of Athabasca. This is where decisions for Big Coulee are made.
Geography of the Region
The region around Big Coulee has a varied landscape. It includes forests, rivers, and open land. The climate here has cold winters and warm summers. This type of environment is common in northern Alberta.
Government and Services
Since Big Coulee is an unincorporated area, it is governed by Athabasca County. The county council makes decisions for the entire county. This includes Big Coulee and other small communities.
Athabasca County Council
The Athabasca County Council is made up of elected officials. These officials are called councillors. They represent different areas within the county. The council works to provide services and manage resources for all residents. This includes people living in Big Coulee.
Daily Life and Services
Residents of Big Coulee rely on Athabasca County for many services. These can include maintaining local roads. They also provide emergency services like fire and police. The county website, athabascacounty.com, offers more information on these services.
Time Zone
Big Coulee observes Mountain Standard Time (MST) during most of the year. This is UTC-7. During the summer months, it switches to Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). This is UTC-6. This change is known as daylight saving time. It helps make better use of daylight hours.