Elkwater, Alberta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elkwater
Unincorporated community
Elkwater, Alberta Location in Alberta
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
Region	Southern Alberta
Census division	1
Municipal district	Cypress County
Area  (2021)
• Land	0.68 km2 (0.26 sq mi)
Elevation	1,234 m (4,049 ft)
Population  (2021)
• Total	83
• Density	122.2/km2 (316/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−7 (MST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
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 southern shore of Elkwater Lake and consists mostly of a collection of cabins. Its name is a translation of Ponokiokwe, the Blackfoot name for the lake.

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

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Elkwater recorded a population of &&&&&&&&&&&&&083.&&&&&083 living in &&&&&&&&&&&&&048.&&&&&048 of its &&&&&&&&&&&&0228.&&&&&0228 total private dwellings, a change of -1.2% from its 2016 population of &&&&&&&&&&&&&084.&&&&&084. With a land area of 0.68 km² (0.26 sq mi), it had a population density of 122.1/km² (316/sq mi) in 2021.

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 (77/sq mi) in 2016.

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:

• Elkwater (Main)
• Lakeview
• Old Baldy
• Beaver Creek (Closed for renovations in Summer 2013)
• Ferguson Hill
• Lodgepole
• Firerock

To the east of Elkwater, camping can be found at Spruce Coulee and Reesor Lake. Closer to the Saskatchewan border, Battle Creek and Upper Graburn campgrounds are found. A number of group camp sites may also be rented.

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.