Crawling Valley Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crawling Valley Reservoir |
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 Crawling Valley Reservoir
Location in Alberta
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| Location | County of Newell, Alberta |
| Coordinates | 50°54′07″N 112°21′10″W / 50.90194°N 112.35278°W |
| Basin countries |  Canada |
| Max. length | 12 km (7.5 mi) |
| Max. width | 7.2 km (4.5 mi) |
| Surface area | 25.1 km2 (9.7 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 5.2 m (17 ft) |
| Max. depth | 16 m (52 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 778 m (2,552 ft) |
| Settlements | Bassano |
Crawling Valley Reservoir, also known as Barkenhouse Lake, is a large man-made lake in Alberta, Canada. It is called a reservoir because it stores water, much like a giant bathtub! This water is mainly used to help farmers grow their crops by providing irrigation.
Contents
What is Crawling Valley Reservoir?
Crawling Valley Reservoir is a special kind of lake. It was created by people to hold water for different uses. It measures about 12 km (7.5 mi) long and 7.2 km (4.5 mi) wide. The deepest part of the reservoir is about 16 m (52 ft) deep.
How Was It Formed?
The reservoir was built in a natural dip in the land called the Crawling Valley. This valley was formed a very long time ago. It was created by melting ice from a huge ice sheet. This happened at the end of the last ice age. The melting ice carved out a channel, like a giant river.
Building the Reservoir
Work on the reservoir began in 1983. Engineers built dams and canals to create the lake. They redirected some water from the Bow River into the reservoir. This water flows through a channel called the North Branch Canal. This canal starts near the town of Bassano.
What is the Water Used For?
The main purpose of Crawling Valley Reservoir is to provide water for irrigation. This means the water helps farmers in the area grow their crops. Water flows out of the reservoir through the North Branch Canal. Some water also flows into Matzhiwin Creek.
