Little Saskatchewan River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Saskatchewan River |
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Little Saskatchewan River along with surrounding basin
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| Country | Canada |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lake Audy |
| River mouth | Assiniboine River |
| Length | 185 kilometres (115 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 3,600 km2 (1,400 sq mi) |
The Little Saskatchewan River is a river located in western Manitoba, Canada. It starts in Riding Mountain National Park at a place called Lake Audy. From there, it flows south for about 185 kilometers (115 miles). The river eventually joins the Assiniboine River near Brandon.
About the River
The Little Saskatchewan River is an important waterway in Manitoba. It stretches for about 185 kilometers (115 miles). The river begins its journey in Riding Mountain National Park. It flows through towns like Minnedosa and Rapid City.
Where Does It Flow?
The area of land that drains water into the Little Saskatchewan River is called its watershed. This watershed covers about 3,600 square kilometers (1,400 square miles). Many lakes are part of this watershed. There are also three man-made lakes, which are called reservoirs. These include Minnedosa Lake, Rapid City Reservoir, and Lake Wahtopanah.
A River's Name Story
The name of the river has changed over time. In 1911, the official name became Minnedosa River. However, in 1978, its original name, Little Saskatchewan River, was brought back. Some early settlers thought this river was the much larger Saskatchewan River. This happened because the river was in flood when they first saw it, making it look very wide.
How Much Water?
The amount of water flowing in a river is called its discharge. The Little Saskatchewan River can carry a lot of water. On April 14, 1969, the river had its highest recorded flow near Rivers, Manitoba. At that time, about 3640 cubic feet (103 cubic meters) of water flowed by each second. On average, about 115,000 acre-feet (142 million cubic meters) of water flows through the river each year. This is about 7% of all the rain and snow that falls in the river's watershed.
Images for kids
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Little Saskatchewan River near where it meets the Assiniboine River
