Marten River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marten River |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Marten Lakes 779 m (2,556 ft) 55°35′28″N 114°37′43″W / 55.59111°N 114.62861°W |
| River mouth | Lesser Slave Lake 577 m (1,893 ft) 55°30′52″N 114°56′15″W / 55.51444°N 114.93750°W |
The Marten River is a short river located in central Alberta, Canada. It is one of the main rivers that flows into Lesser Slave Lake. This lake then drains into the Lesser Slave River, which is a big branch of the Athabasca River. So, the Marten River is part of a much larger river system in Alberta.
Where the River Flows
The Marten River starts north of Marten Mountain. It begins at the westernmost Marten Lake. From there, the river flows towards the southwest. It goes under Alberta Highway 88. Finally, the Marten River reaches Lesser Slave Lake. It enters the lake at the northern tip of Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park.
How the River Got Its Name
There are different ideas about how the Marten River got its name. People have been discussing this for a long time.
Trapper or Animal?
One idea is that the river was named after a local animal trapper. This trapper might have worked in the area. Another idea is that the river and nearby Marten Mountain were named after martens. Martens are small, weasel-like animals. They are known to live in this region.
Historical Maps
An old map from 1892 shows the river with a slightly different name. The Geological Survey of Canada called it the Martin River on their map. This shows how names can sometimes change over time.
