List of rivers of Alberta facts for kids

Rivers in Alberta

Alberta is a Canadian province with many rivers. These rivers flow into three major bodies of water: the Arctic Ocean, the Hudson Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico. Because Alberta is just east of the continental divide (a high ridge that separates river systems), no rivers from Alberta flow into the Pacific Ocean.

Rivers of Alberta

The rivers in northern Alberta flow towards the Arctic Ocean. These northern rivers usually carry more water than the southern ones, which flow through drier areas. Most of southern Alberta's rivers flow towards Hudson Bay. The only exception is the Milk River and its smaller streams, which flow south through the Missouri River and Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.

Rivers flowing to the Arctic Ocean

Rivers in Alberta that are part of the Arctic Ocean watershed eventually reach the Arctic Ocean. Most of them flow into the Great Slave Lake and then into the Mackenzie River. However, the Petitot River flows directly into the Mackenzie River, bypassing Great Slave Lake.

Athabasca River Chaba River Sunwapta River Whirlpool River Astoria River Miette River Maligne River Snaring River Rocky River Snake Indian River Fiddle River Berland River Sakwatamau River Freeman River McLeod River Pembina River Lesser Slave River Tawatinaw River La Biche River Calling River La Petite Riviere Jaillante Pelican River House River Licock River Algar River Horse River Little Fishery River Clearwater River Steepbank River Mackay River Muskeg River Ells River Firebag River Marguerite River Richardson River Maybelle River

Peace River Saddle River Spirit River Smoky River Little Smoky River Wapiti River Heart River Whitemud River Cadotte River Little Cadotte River Notikewin River Wolverine River Buffalo River Keg River Little Burn River Boyer River Caribou River Harmon River Wabasca River Lake Claire

Slave River Peace-Athabasca Delta Powder Creek Leland Lakes Hornaday River Hay River Chinchaga River Meader River Steen River Melvin River Little Hay River Liard Watershed (in BC) Petitot River Yates River

Athabasca Falls Athabasca River Clearwater River Valley

Rivers flowing to Hudson Bay

Rivers in Alberta that are part of the Hudson Bay watershed mostly flow through the Saskatchewan River, Lake Winnipeg, and then the Nelson River. The only exception is the Beaver River, which flows into the Churchill River.

North Saskatchewan River Alexandra River Howse River Mistaya River Siffleur River Cline River Bighorn River Ram River Clearwater River Baptiste River Brazeau River Sturgeon River Redwater River Death River Vermilion River Monnery River Englishman River Turtle Lake River Jackfish River Battle River Spruce River Garden River

South Saskatchewan River Oldman River Crowsnest River Castle River Belly River Waterton River St. Mary River Little Bow River Bow River Pipestone River Spray River Cascade River Kananaskis River Ghost River Elbow River Highwood River Sheep River Red Deer River Panther River James River Raven River Little Red Deer River Medicine River Blindman River Rosebud River Raven River

Beaver River Amisk River Mooselake River Sand River Wolf River Martineau River

North Saskatchewan River Bow River Red Deer River

Rivers flowing to the Gulf of Mexico

The Milk River in southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan is special. It's one of the very few rivers in Canada that flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The Poplar River in southern Saskatchewan also flows to the Gulf of Mexico.

Missouri Watershed (United States) Milk River North Milk River Police Creek Lodge Creek Sage Creek Willow Creek Manyberries Creek (Pakowki Lake) Battle Creek

Milk River

See also

• Rivers of the Americas
• Lakes of Alberta
• Geography of Alberta
• List of rivers of Canada