Redwater, Alberta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Redwater
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Town
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| Town of Redwater | |
 Redwater
Location in Alberta
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Region | Edmonton Metropolitan Region |
| Census division | 11 |
| Municipal district | Sturgeon County |
| Incorporated | |
| • Village | December 31, 1949 |
| • Town | December 31, 1950 |
| Area
(2021)
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| • Land | 19.93 km2 (7.70 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 625 m (2,051 ft) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 2,115 |
| • Density | 106.1/km2 (275/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| Postal code span |
T0A 2W0
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| Area code(s) | 780, 587, 825 |
| Highways | Highway 28, Highway 38, Highway 829 |
| Waterways | Redwater River |
Redwater is a town in Alberta, Canada. It's part of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region and is surrounded by Sturgeon County. You can find it about 52 kilometers (32 miles) north of Edmonton, right on Highway 38. In 2021, about 2,115 people lived there.
Contents
Discovering Redwater's Past
In the early 1900s, people from Ukraine, England, and France began to settle in the area where Redwater is today. The town gets its name from the nearby Redwater River. This river has an interesting ochre (reddish-yellow) color and flows into the North Saskatchewan River.
The area was officially surveyed on September 7, 1906. A post office was first set up in 1907. Later, in 1919, it moved to the current town site, and Redwater became a small community called a hamlet. It officially became a village on December 31, 1949, and then a town exactly one year later, on December 31, 1950.
Originally, Redwater was mostly a farming community. However, everything changed in 1948 when oil was discovered nearby. This discovery quickly transformed the small hamlet of about 160 people into a town of 1,306 by 1951.
Exploring Redwater's Geography
Redwater is surrounded by wide, flat areas that have some of the best farming soil in Alberta. A major natural feature nearby is the Sturgeon River. It flows about 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of the town and eventually joins the North Saskatchewan River.
To the east and southeast, there are large areas of sandy soil known as sand hills. These hills are important for the local silica sand and gravel industries. The different types of soil in the area support two main kinds of forests:
- Coniferous trees: These include Jack Pine, Scots Pine, White Spruce, Black Spruce, and some Balsam Fir.
- Broadleaf trees: These include Birch, Poplar, and Aspen.
Understanding Redwater's Population
In the 2021 Census, the Town of Redwater had a population of 2,115 people. These residents lived in 910 homes out of 1,000 total homes available. This was a small increase from its 2016 population of 2,053.
The town covers a land area of 19.93 square kilometers (7.69 square miles). This means that in 2021, there were about 106 people living in each square kilometer. In 2012, the town did its own count and found that 2,116 people lived in Redwater.
Redwater's Economy and Industries
Besides the farming that happens around the town, Redwater is close to many large industrial businesses in an area called Alberta's Industrial Heartland. One of the biggest operations is the North West Redwater Partnership's (NWRP) Sturgeon Refinery. This refinery processes about 80,000 barrels of crude oil each day.
The Sturgeon Refinery was built, is owned, and is operated by NWRP. The Alberta government has supported this project with large loans and has promised to supply the refinery with oil for 30 years. NWRP believes this refinery will bring about $90 billion (Canadian dollars) to Alberta over 30 years.
Other important businesses in the area include:
- A fertilizer plant run by Agrium Inc.
- A chemical production plant by Evonik Industries.
- A petrochemical plant by Pembina.
- A pipeline storage and shipping facility by Access Pipeline INC.
- The Shell Scotford upgrader and refinery.
These large industries have also led to many smaller businesses. These include companies that help with shipping, oilfield services, heavy equipment, and other support services.
Fun Things to Do in Redwater
Redwater offers many attractions for a town its size. Some popular spots include:
- A nine-hole golf course with grass greens, located right in Redwater.
- Pembina Place, a multi-use recreation facility.
- An outdoor swimming pool.
- The sand hills natural area, which has some of the best ATV (all-terrain vehicle) trails in central Alberta.
- A public library.
- The world's largest oil derrick, a tall structure used for drilling oil.
Important Services in Redwater
Emergency Services
Redwater has important emergency services to keep everyone safe. These include:
- A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment.
- Ambulance services.
- A volunteer fire department.
Education for Students
Students in Redwater attend two main schools:
- Ochre Park School: This school teaches children from kindergarten through grade 4.
- Redwater School: This school is for older students, from grades 5 through 12.
Redwater in the News
The Review is a local weekly newspaper that shares news and stories about Redwater and the surrounding area.
Famous People from Redwater
- Todd Fedoruk, a professional hockey player.
See also
In Spanish: Redwater (Alberta) para niños
