Heart River (Alberta) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Heart River
The Heart River in the Town of Peace River
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
Physical characteristics
Main source	Northern Sunrise County 745 m (2,444 ft) 56°04′55″N 116°31′39″W / 56.08186°N 116.52739°W / 56.08186; -116.52739 (Hear River origin)
River mouth	Peace River 320 m (1,050 ft) 56°13′50″N 117°17′30″W / 56.23047°N 117.29169°W / 56.23047; -117.29169 (Hear River mouth)
Basin features
River system	Peace River
Basin size	1,900 km2 (730 sq mi)

The Heart River is a river found in northern Alberta, Canada. It is a major river that flows into the larger Peace River. The village of Nampa, Alberta even has a special saying, A Place close to the Heart, which refers to this river flowing right through their community.

Journey of the Heart River

The Heart River starts its journey in Northern Sunrise County in Alberta. It begins high up, at about 745 meters (2,444 feet) above sea level.

Where the River Flows

The river first flows north through a lake that doesn't have a name. Then, it turns west and goes through Harmon Valley Park. As it passes the settlement of Harmon Valley, it collects water from Harmon Valley Creek. After this, it turns south.

Up to this point, it's sometimes called the North Heart River. It then gets more water from Bearhead Creek, which also carries water from Benjamin Creek. The river then turns west again. It flows alongside the Mackenzie Northern Railway as it passes by the small community of Reno and through the village of Nampa.

The Heart River then meets Myrtle Creek, which flows north just east of Nampa. Highway 2 crosses over the river. The river continues west past the hamlet of Marie-Reine.

Canyon and End Point

Next, the Heart River turns north and flows through a deep canyon. This canyon is about 150 meters (492 feet) deep and is located within the Greene Valley Provincial Park. Finally, the Heart River empties into the Peace River. This happens right after the Smoky River joins the Peace River, and it's within the town limits of Peace River. At this point, the river is about 320 meters (1,050 feet) above sea level.

River's Drainage Area

The Heart River collects water from an area of about 1,900 square kilometers (734 square miles). This area can be divided into three main parts:

• The North Heart River area, which covers about 830 square kilometers.
• The Bearhead Creek area (including Benjamin Creek), covering about 773 square kilometers.
• The Myrtle Creek area (including the Nampa South Drainage Project), covering about 201 square kilometers.

Rivers Joining the Heart River

Here are the smaller streams and creeks that flow into the Heart River:

• Harmon Valley Creek
• Bearhead Creek
  • Benjamin Creek (flows into Bearhead Creek)
• Myrtle Creek