Etzikom Coulee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Etzikom Coulee |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Stirling Lake 930 meters (3,050 ft) 49°31′44″N 112°32′30″W / 49.52894°N 112.54171°W |
| River mouth | Pakowki Lake 860 meters (2,820 ft) 49°23′17″N 111°05′42″W / 49.38805°N 111.09504°W |
| Length | ~110 kilometers (68 mi) |
The Etzikom Coulee is a long, narrow valley found in Southern Alberta, Canada. It's like a giant ditch carved into the land! This special waterway was formed a very long time ago, at the end of the last ice age, when huge glaciers melted and released massive amounts of water. This rushing water carved out the coulee, acting like a natural drain.
Contents
What is a Coulee?
A coulee is a type of valley or ravine, often with steep sides. In places like Alberta, coulees are usually dry for most of the year. They only carry water after heavy rain or when snow melts. The word "coulee" comes from a French word meaning "to flow."
Where Does the Etzikom Coulee Flow?
The Etzikom Coulee starts its journey northeast of the town of Stirling. From there, it flows southeast past the Hamlet of Wrentham.
It then goes by the Hamlet of Skiff and into the Crow Indian Lake. The coulee continues southeast, passing the Village of Foremost and the Hamlet of Nemiskam.
Finally, it ends south of the Hamlet of Etzikom at Pakowki Lake. Pakowki Lake is the largest lake in Southern Alberta.
How Long and Deep is the Coulee?
The Etzikom Coulee flows for more than 110 kilometers (68 mi). That's a long distance, almost like driving from one city to another!
It starts at an elevation of 930 meters (3,050 ft) near Stirling Lake. It ends at Pakowki Lake, which is at an elevation of 860 meters (2,820 ft). This drop in elevation helps the water flow.
In some places, the coulee forms a canyon that can be up to 40 meters (130 ft) deep. Imagine a valley as deep as a four-story building!
How Was It Formed?
The Etzikom Coulee is a great example of a "glacial spillway channel." This means it was created by huge amounts of water flowing from melting glaciers.
During the last Ice Age, much of North America was covered by thick ice sheets. As the climate warmed, these glaciers began to melt. The meltwater created powerful rivers that carved out features like the Etzikom Coulee.
These ancient rivers were much larger than any rivers we see in the area today. They had enough power to cut deep into the land, shaping the landscape we see now.
