Rat Creek facts for kids

Rat Creek is a tributary to the North Saskatchewan River. Rat Creek was once part of a much larger system which formerly almost connected to the Sturgeon River. However, Rat Creek is now defined as a lost creek, due to the city of Edmonton's encroachment on the surrounding area for urban use. Rat Creek was fed by sloughs that occurred north of Edmonton.

History of Rat Creek

Rat Creek was once a large water system, which brought water downstream into the North Saskatchewan River. The creek's name refers to muskrats, rather than to any member of the genus Rattus, which were plentiful along the creek when the region was an active part of the North American fur trade.

Rat Creek lies on the northern side of Edmonton's river valley, and its original full route is comparable to the south side's Mill Creek and Whitemud Creek as one of the longest creeks in the city. The North West Mounted Police camped near Rat Creek on their way to establish themselves at Fort Saskatchewan in 1874, and they complained that their horses and wagons were constantly mired in the thick mud and the many sloughs that were present in this area.