Saskatchewan Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saskatchewan Glacier |
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Saskatchewan Glacier in Alberta, Canada seen from Parker Ridge
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 Location in Alberta
Location in Canada
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| Coordinates | 52°08′19″N 117°11′36″W / 52.138546°N 117.193222°W |
| Area | 30 square kilometres (12 sq mi) |
| Length | 13 kilometres (8 mi) |
| Status | Receding |
The Saskatchewan Glacier is a huge river of ice found in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. It's about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of the town of Banff. You can reach it from the scenic Icefields Parkway.
This glacier is the biggest "outflow glacier" from the Columbia Icefield. An outflow glacier is like a giant arm of ice that flows away from a larger ice cap. The Columbia Icefield sits on the Continental Divide, which is a high ridge that separates rivers flowing to different oceans. The Saskatchewan Glacier is super important because it's a main source of water for the North Saskatchewan River.
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What is the Saskatchewan Glacier?
The Saskatchewan Glacier is a massive body of ice that moves slowly over land. It's like a very slow-moving river, but made of ice instead of water. This glacier is part of a much larger area of ice called the Columbia Icefield. The icefield is so big that it covers parts of both Alberta and British Columbia in Canada.
Where is this Giant Glacier?
The Saskatchewan Glacier is located in the beautiful Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. This park is famous for its stunning mountains and clear lakes. The glacier is quite a distance from the town of Banff, but you can get close to it by driving along the Icefields Parkway. This road offers amazing views of the Canadian Rockies.
How Big is the Saskatchewan Glacier?
This glacier is truly enormous! It stretches for about 13 kilometers (8 miles) long. Its total area covers about 30 square kilometers (11.5 square miles). Imagine more than 4,000 football fields covered in ice! In 1960, scientists measured parts of the glacier to be over 400 meters (1,300 feet) thick. That's taller than many skyscrapers!
The glacier flows towards the northeast. You might notice a dark line running down the middle of the glacier. This is called a "medial moraine." It's made of rocks and dirt that have fallen onto the ice from the sides of the valley. As two ice streams join, these rock lines merge into the middle.
Why is the Glacier Important?
The Saskatchewan Glacier plays a vital role in the environment. It acts like a giant natural reservoir, storing vast amounts of frozen water.
Water for Rivers
As the glacier slowly melts, it feeds the North Saskatchewan River. This river is a major waterway in Canada, providing water for many communities, farms, and industries downstream. Without glaciers like the Saskatchewan Glacier, these rivers would have much less water, especially during dry seasons.
A Changing Landscape
Like many glaciers around the world, the Saskatchewan Glacier is currently "receding." This means it's getting smaller and shrinking back. Between 1893 and 1953, the glacier retreated by about 1,364 meters (4,475 feet). From 1948 to 1953, it was shrinking at an average rate of 55 meters (180 feet) each year. This shrinking is a sign of changes happening to our planet's climate.
Gallery
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Saskatchewan Glacier with Castleguard Mountain from Parker Ridge
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Saskatchewan Glacier & Parker Ridge from glacier's toe
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In this animated gif of the Columbia Icefield, glaciated areas in 1990 are compared to 2000. The Saskatchewan Glacier is the large tongue shaped glacier on the left, which has both retreated and thinned along most of its length during the period.
