Minnedosa, Manitoba facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Minnedosa
Town
The Minnedosa Dominion Post Office in downtown Minnedosa
Town boundaries
Minnedosa, Manitoba Location in Manitoba
Country	Canada
Province	Manitoba
Region	Westman
Incorporated	March 2, 1883 (town)
Area
• Total	15.2 km2 (5.9 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Total	2,741
• Density	161.1/km2 (417/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)

Minnedosa is a town in southwestern Manitoba, a province in Canada. It's about 50 kilometers (32 miles) north of Brandon, Manitoba, right by the Little Saskatchewan River. Its name, Minnedosa, comes from the Dakota language and means "flowing water." In 2021, about 2,741 people lived here. The town is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Minto – Odanah.

History of Minnedosa

Before Europeans arrived, the land around Minnedosa was used by Indigenous peoples. These groups included the nomadic Ojibwe, Cree, Assiniboine, and Sioux peoples. They traveled through the area for hunting and gathering.

Early Settlers and Town Growth

In 1869, an American settler named John Tanner arrived. He was the first Métis person to settle in this area. Tanner started a ferry service to cross the Little Saskatchewan River. This ferry helped people and goods move across the river.

In 1879, a bridge was built, making the ferry no longer needed. Around this time, a small town called Tanner's Crossing began. John Armitage also moved to the area in 1877. He started building a sawmill and a gristmill. Armitage and Tanner worked together to plan a new town. Tanner named this new town Minnedosa, meaning "flowing water" in the Dakota language.

Minnedosa, around 1918

Minnedosa hoped to be a stop for the Canadian Pacific Railway's transcontinental line. However, the railway chose a route further south. This led to the creation of the city of Brandon, Manitoba. Even so, Minnedosa grew quickly. In 1883, it officially became a town. The railway finally reached Minnedosa in 1883, bringing even more growth.

The Minnedosa Dam and Lake

A dam was planned for the Little Saskatchewan River in 1907. It was approved by the Canadian government that same year. After some delays, the dam was finished in 1912. This created Minnedosa Lake. Water first flowed over the dam's spillway on April 10, 1912.

Minnedosa was the second community in Manitoba to generate its own hydroelectric power. This means it used water to make electricity. The power plant was first privately owned. Later, in 1920, the Manitoba Power Commission took it over. The lake was important for the town's water supply. It was also used for fun activities and to supply water for Canadian Pacific Railway engines.

On May 4, 1948, part of the dam's spillway broke. This caused a flood that damaged many homes and businesses. The spillway was repaired in 1950.

Modern Industry

Since 1981, the Minnedosa Ethanol Plant has been making ethanol. Ethanol is a type of alcohol mixed into gasoline. By late 2007, this plant became one of the largest ethanol facilities in Canada. Husky Energy owns and operates this plant.

Geography and Climate

Minnedosa's Weather

Minnedosa has a humid continental climate. This type of climate is common in southern Manitoba. Winters are very cold, with average temperatures below -17 degrees Celsius in January. Summers are short but can be warm or hot. This is because warmer air masses move into the area. It can get cold at night even in summer, and frost has been recorded in every month of the year.

Population and Demographics

In the 2021 Canadian census, Minnedosa had a population of 2,741 people. These people lived in 1,210 homes. This was a growth of about 12% from its 2016 population of 2,449. The town covers an area of about 14.95 square kilometers. This means there were about 183.3 people per square kilometer in 2021.

Fun Places to Visit

Minnedosa has many interesting places to explore.

Minnedosa Beach

Minnedosa Dam on the Little Saskatchewan River

• Minnedosa Civic Center – This building has a large clock tower downtown.
• Buffalo Park – You can find this park south of the Minnedosa Dam.
• Train Park – Located on the east side of Main Street in Minnedosa.
• Nature Trail – Enjoy a 20-minute walk through a wooded area. It has a swinging bridge and a viewing tower.
• Heritage Park – This park has several buildings that show Minnedosa's history.
• Lookout Tower – Climb this 40-foot tower on a steep hill. It offers great views of the entire valley.
• Trout Pond – A popular fishing spot stocked with many trout. It's located at Heritage Village.
• Rockin' the Fields of Minnedosa – Minnedosa hosts this annual music event.
• Minnedosa Paddling Club – This club is part of the Manitoba Paddling Association.

Education in Minnedosa

Minnedosa has two main schools. Minnedosa Collegiate Institute, often called M.C.I., is the high school. Tanner's Crossing School (T.C.S.) is the elementary school. Both schools are part of the Rolling River School Division. The division's main offices are located in town.

Local News

Newspaper

• Minnedosa Tribune – This is the local newspaper for Minnedosa.

Famous People from Minnedosa

Many notable people have connections to Minnedosa:

• Izzy Asper – He founded CanWest Global Communications Corp.
• Ron Chipperfield – A professional hockey player.
• Frances Gertrude McGill (1882–1959) – A famous forensic pathologist and criminologist.
• Maxine Miller – An actress.
• Isabela Onyshko – A gymnast who competed in the 2016 Olympics.
• Kyle Parrott – A speed skater who competed in the 2010 Olympics.
• Colin Pearson, Baron Pearson – A British law lord.
• Kate Rice – A prospector, adventurer, and writer who died here.
• Curt Ridley – A professional hockey player.
• Ken Watson – A curler who won the Brier three times.

Images for kids

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  The Minnedosa Dominion Post Office in downtown Minnedosa

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  Town boundaries

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  Minnedosa, c. 1918

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  Minnedosa Beach

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  Minnedosa Dam on the Little Saskatchewan River