Firebag River facts for kids
The Firebag River is a river found in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. It got its interesting name from the special bags that Indigenous peoples once used to carry flints for starting fires.
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Where the Firebag River Flows
The Firebag River starts in Firebag Lake, which is located in northwestern Saskatchewan. From there, it flows west into Alberta. Finally, it empties into the Athabasca River. This meeting point is about 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of a community called Fort McKay.
The river is quite long, stretching for about 170 kilometers (105 miles). A lot of water flows through it! Near where it joins the Athabasca River, about 20 cubic meters of water pass by every second. That's like filling 20 bathtubs every second!
Protecting the River Valley
Part of the Firebag River valley is protected by the Marguerite River Wildland. A wildland is a special area kept natural to protect its plants and animals. Back in 1980, people also suggested creating a recreation park along the river. This park would be for people living in the Northeast Alberta Region to enjoy nature.
Oil Sands and the Firebag River
The area around the Firebag River is known for its rich oil sands. Oil sands are a mix of sand, clay, water, and a thick, sticky form of oil called bitumen.
A company called Suncor has a large operation here. It's called the Firebag in-situ operation. They use a special method called SAGD (Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage). This method uses steam to heat the bitumen deep underground. Once heated, the bitumen becomes thinner and can be pumped to the surface. This bitumen comes from a geological layer called the McMurray Formation, which is found beneath the river basin.
Nearby Connections
The Fort MacKay/Firebag Aerodrome is an airport located near the river. It is about 41 kilometers (25 miles) away from the Firebag River. This airport helps people and supplies get to the remote oil sands operations in the area.
