Wapiti River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wapiti River
Wapiti River in western Canada
Country	Canada
Physical characteristics
Main source	Tuck Lake, Wapiti Pass 1,370 m (4,490 ft) 54°26′26″N 120°47′25″W / 54.44069°N 120.79021°W / 54.44069; -120.79021 (Wapiti River origin)
River mouth	Smoky River 485 m (1,591 ft) 55°08′16″N 118°18′05″W / 55.13784°N 118.30152°W / 55.13784; -118.30152 (Wapiti River mouth)

The Wapiti River is a cool river in western Canada. It flows through two provinces: British Columbia and Alberta. This river is a big helper to the Smoky River, which is part of the even larger Peace River Basin. The name "Wapiti" comes from the Cree people and means "elk." So, it's like the "Elk River"!

Where the River Flows

Wapiti River as it crosses under Highway 40 near Grande Prairie

The Wapiti River starts from a lake called Tuck Lake. This lake is found near Wapiti Pass in the Canadian Rockies. The river begins its journey in Wapiti Lake Provincial Park in British Columbia.

From there, the river flows northeast. It then crosses into Alberta. In Alberta, the river starts to meander, which means it winds and curves a lot. It continues through the area known as the County of Grande Prairie No. 1. Finally, the Wapiti River joins the Smoky River about 30 kilometres (19 mi) east of Grande Prairie.

River Environments

As the Wapiti River travels, it passes through different kinds of land. First, it flows through the high, rocky areas of the Rocky Mountains. Then, it moves into rolling hills called foothills. After that, it goes through farmland and areas with aspen parkland in western Alberta.

Several special places are found along the river. These include Wapiti Lake Provincial Park, Bear River Park, O'Brien Provincial Park, and Pipestone Creek Park. These parks help protect the natural beauty and wildlife around the river.

Near where it meets the Smoky River, the Wapiti River moves a lot of water. On average, it carries about 100 cubic metres per second (3,500 cu ft/s) of water. That's like filling 100 bathtubs every second!

Other Streams and Crossings

Many smaller streams flow into the Wapiti River. These are called tributaries. The river also flows under roads and railway bridges. Here are some of the places and streams connected to the Wapiti River: