Elk River (Alberta) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elk River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Location | Alberta |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Elk River headwaters 1,372 m (4,501 ft) 52°56′12″N 116°25′34″W / 52.93667°N 116.42611°W |
| River mouth | Brazeau Reservoir 976 m (3,202 ft) 52°57′02″N 115°42′41″W / 52.95056°N 115.71139°W |
The Elk River is a short river found in the eastern part of the Alberta foothills in Canada. It starts south of a ghost town called Coalspur. From there, it flows east until it reaches the Brazeau Reservoir. This reservoir was created by the Brazeau Dam on the Brazeau River, which is a smaller river that flows into the North Saskatchewan River.
The Elk River is easy to find because it runs alongside the Elk River Road for most of its journey. You can also find the Elk River Provincial Recreation Area located right on the river, which is a great spot for outdoor activities.
What the Elk River Looks Like
In the 1980s, the Government of Alberta studied the Elk River to learn more about its features. Here's what they found about different parts of the river:
The River's Valley and Surroundings
The land around the Elk River is mostly made up of rolling hills. These hills were shaped by ancient glaciers, leaving behind a type of soil called moraine.
The river often flows through wide, stream-cut valleys. These valleys sometimes have flat areas next to the river called alluvial floodplains. These floodplains are formed by the river depositing sand and dirt over time. You might even see U-shaped lakes called oxbow cutoffs in these areas, which are old river bends that got separated from the main river.
The River Channel
The river itself often has an irregular, winding path, meaning it takes many curves and turns, known as meanders.
The bottom of the river is usually made of sand and sometimes gravel. Along the banks, you'll find sand and gravel covered by fine dirt called silt. In some places, where the river channel is narrower, the banks might also contain a mix of soil and rocks left by glaciers, known as till.
The river doesn't have many islands. Instead, you'll mostly see sand or gravel banks, called point bars, forming on the inside curves of the river's bends.
