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Slave Lake
Town
Town of Slave Lake
Main street in August 2006
Main street in August 2006
Town boundaries
Town boundaries
Slave Lake is located in M.D. of Lesser Slave River
Slave Lake
Slave Lake
Location in M.D. of Lesser Slave River
Slave Lake is located in Alberta
Slave Lake
Slave Lake
Location in Alberta
Country Canada
Province Alberta
Region Northern Alberta
Planning region Upper Athabasca
Municipal district Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124
Incorporated  
 • Village January 1, 1961
 • Town August 2, 1965
Area
 (2021)
 • Land 14.31 km2 (5.53 sq mi)
Elevation
590 m (1,940 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total 6,836
 • Density 477.7/km2 (1,237/sq mi)
Time zone UTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Postal code span
T0G 2A0 & 2S0
Area code(s) 780, 587, 825
Highways Highway 2
Bicentennial Highway
Waterways Lesser Slave Lake
Lesser Slave River
Website slavelake.ca


Slave Lake is a town in northern Alberta, Canada that is surrounded by the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124. It is approximately 255 km (158 mi) northwest of Edmonton. It is located on the southeast shore of Lesser Slave Lake at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 88.

Slave Lake serves as a local centre for the area. The administrative office for the Sawridge First Nation is also located in the town.

History

The first European known to visit the area of the present-day Town of Slave Lake was the British explorer David Thompson, who arrived in 1799. Following his brief visit, other British agents established several fur trading posts around Slave Lake, including a Hudson's Bay Company post at the mouth of the lake.

A settlement developed around the post and became known as Sawridge. It was renamed as Slave Lake in 1923. After a flood in the 1930s destroyed much of the town, it was relocated and rebuilt at its current location on higher ground. It was incorporated as a town in 1965.

The Town of Slave Lake was inundated by a flood of Sawridge Creek in July 1988.

2011 wildfire

On May 15, 2011, large parts of the town were affected by wildfires in the area. Winds pushed the flames into town, destroying many houses and businesses. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued, but highways had been closed and residents were urged to seek refuge at beaches, large parking lots, and open spaces. Highway 2 had been closed at the outset of the fire, but eventually re-opened for evacuation. Full evacuation of all residents was ordered for Slave Lake.

On May 16, 2011, provincial officials said that 40% of the town had been destroyed or damaged by the fires, including the town hall, the library, a radio station, a mall, and a significant number of homes and other buildings. No injuries or deaths were reported. On May 17, 2011, Mayor Karina Pillay-Kinnee indicated one-third of the town had been destroyed by the wildfire. On May 20, 2011, a firefighting helicopter crashed into the Lesser Slave Lake near Canyon Creek; its pilot died at the scene. It crashed about 30 m (98 ft) off shore into water that was 1.5 m (4.9 ft) deep.

On July 6, Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visited the town to offer encouragement to residents and support for rebuilding efforts.

Geography

Climate

Slave Lake experiences a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc) that borders on a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb). Summers tend to be mild with cool nights, while winters are long and severely cold.

Demographics

Federal census
population history
Year Pop. ±%
1961 468 —    
1966 1,716 +266.7%
1971 2,052 +19.6%
1976 3,561 +73.5%
1981 4,506 +26.5%
1986 5,429 +20.5%
1991 5,607 +3.3%
1996 6,553 +16.9%
2001 6,600 +0.7%
2006 6,703 +1.6%
2011 6,782 +1.2%
2016 6,651 −1.9%
2021 6,836 +2.8%
Source: Statistics Canada

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Slave Lake had a population of 6,836 living in 2,405 of its 2,681 total private dwellings, a change of 2.8% from its 2016 population of 6,651. With a land area of 14.31 km2 (5.53 sq mi), it had a population density of 477.7/km2 (1,237/sq mi) in 2021.

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Slave Lake recorded a population of 6,651 living in 2,329 of its 2,762 total private dwellings, a -1.9% change from its 2011 population of 6,782. With a land area of 14.44 km2 (5.58 sq mi), it had a population density of 460.6/km2 (1,193/sq mi) in 2016.

The population of the Town of Slave Lake according to its 2007 municipal census was 7,031.

Panethnic groups in Slave Lake (2001−2021)
Panethnic

group

2021 2011 2001
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
European 3,595 54.0% 4,485 66.7% 4,480 68.6%
Indigenous 1,780 26.7% 1,690 25.1% 1,770 27.1%
Southeast Asian 730 10.9% 285 4.2% 25 0.4%
South Asian 215 3.2% 100 1.5% 25 0.4%
Middle Eastern 185 2.8% 145 2.2% 115 1.8%
African 90 1.4% 0 0.0% 15 0.2%
East Asian 30 0.5% 20 0.3% 80 1.2%
Latin American 15 0.2% 0 0.0% 20 0.3%
Other/Multiracial 20 0.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Total responses 6,660 97.4% 6,725 99.2% 6,530 98.9%
Total population 6,836 100% 6,782 100% 6,600 100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Sports

In 1994, the town hosted the Arctic Winter Games. This is a celebration of circumpolar sports and culture.

Club League Sport Venue Established Championships
Slave Lake Wolves
NWJHL
Ice Hockey Arctic Ice Centre
N/A
1

Media

Media outlets serving Slave Lake and surrounding area include BOOM (FM) and the Lakeside Leader, a local community newspaper.

Gallery

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