Highwood River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Highwood River |
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The Highwood from Alberta Highway 40
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Peter Lougheed Provincial Park 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) 50°36′37″N 114°58′34″W / 50.61032°N 114.97613°W |
| River mouth | Bow River 950 meters (3,120 ft) 50°49′03″N 113°46′44″W / 50.81743°N 113.77892°W |
The Highwood River is an important tributary (a smaller river flowing into a larger one) of the Bow River. You can find it in southwestern Alberta, Canada.
Where the Highwood River Flows
The Highwood River starts high up in the Canadian Rockies. Its journey begins in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. This is near the Highwood Pass, below a mountain called Mount Arethusa.
The river first flows south. It runs alongside the Kananaskis Trail. This area is surrounded by beautiful wildlands like Elbow-Sheep Wildland. Then, the river turns east.
It continues its path along Highway 541. It flows right through the town of Longview. Further east, it passes through the town of High River. Finally, the Highwood River joins the Bow River southeast of Calgary.
Fun Activities on the River
The Highwood River is a popular spot for flyfishing. This is a special way of fishing using a fake insect (a "fly") to catch fish. Many different kinds of trout live here. You might even find native bull trout.
When the snow melts in springtime, the river gets really full. This makes it perfect for white water rafting. It's an exciting adventure for those who love the water!
Flooding and the Highwood River
The Highwood River can flood quite often. Big floods have happened many times throughout history. Some of the most notable floods were in 1894, 1902, 1929, and 2005.
The most recent major flood was in 2013. During the 2013 Alberta floods, thousands of people had to leave their homes. This was because the Highwood River, along with the Bow River and Elbow River, rose very high. Sadly, three people died during the Highwood River flooding.
