Clearwater County, Alberta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clearwater County
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Location within Alberta
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| Country | Canada | |
| Province | Alberta | |
| Region | Central Alberta | |
| Census division | 9 | |
| Established | 1985 | |
| Incorporated | 2000 | |
| Area
(2021)
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| • Land | 18,605.71 km2 (7,183.70 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 11,865 | |
| • Density | 0.6/km2 (2/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) | |
Clearwater County is a special type of local government area called a municipal district in west-central Alberta, Canada. It's part of Division No. 9. The Brazeau River forms its northwest border.
The main office for Clearwater County is in the town of Rocky Mountain House. This county is very large, covering about 18,600 square kilometers (over 7,000 square miles). This is almost all of Census Division No. 9's land area. Even though it's huge, the county does not include the town of Rocky Mountain House itself, nor the communities of Caroline, Burnstick Lake, or three Indian reserves. In 2021, about 11,865 people lived in Clearwater County.
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The economy here relies on farming, oil and gas, and forestry. In recent years, tourism has also become more important. The name of the area changed from "Municipal District of Clearwater No. 99" to "Clearwater County" on July 1, 2000.
Contents
What is Clearwater County Like?
Towns and Villages Nearby
Clearwater County surrounds a few towns and villages that are managed separately.
- The town of Rocky Mountain House is a major center.
- The village of Caroline is also nearby.
- Burnstick Lake is a summer village, meaning many people visit or live there during the warmer months.
Hamlets in the County
Several smaller communities, called hamlets, are located right within Clearwater County.
Other Small Places
There are many other small places and named areas within Clearwater County. These include:
- Alexo
- Bingley
- Cline River
- Ferrier
- James River Bridge
- Martins Trailer Court
- Stauffer
- Ya Ha Tinda Ranch
Phoenix, which used to be a coal mining town, is also found in Clearwater County, between Nordegg and Rocky Mountain House.
How Many People Live Here?
In 2021, a census (a count of people) showed that 11,865 people lived in Clearwater County. These people lived in 4,817 homes. This was a small change from 2016, when the population was 11,947. Because the county is so big, there are only about 0.6 people per square kilometer.
Fun Things to Do
Clearwater County offers many outdoor activities and interesting places to visit:
- Rocky Mountain House Historic Site: Learn about the history of the fur trade and early settlers.
- Historic Minesite in Nordegg: Explore the past of coal mining in the area.
- Hiking in the Bighorn Wildland: Enjoy beautiful trails and nature.
- Camping at Burnstick Lake: Spend time outdoors at the campsite.
- Water Sports: Go canoeing on lakes, or try rafting and kayaking on the Clearwater River and North Saskatchewan River.
- Winter Activities: Enjoy cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the Chambers Creek area.
- Fishing and Hunting: The area is great for fishing different types of trout and whitefish, and for hunting.
