Whitemud River facts for kids
The Whitemud River is a small river in southwest Manitoba, Canada. It winds and turns a lot, flowing east from where it starts near Neepawa. The river then passes through towns like Arden, Gladstone, and Westbourne. Finally, it empties into Lake Manitoba at a place called Lynchs Point. The area of land that drains water into the Whitemud River is about 6,475 square kilometers (2,500 square miles).
What's in a Name?
The exact reason for the name "Whitemud River" isn't fully known. An old fur trader named Alexander Henry called it Rivier Terre Blanche. This French name means "White Earth River." In 1905, a person named Mr. Garrioch from Portage la Prairie wrote about the river. He suggested that the river got its name from the light color of the clay and soil along its banks.
River Features
The Whitemud River's depth changes a lot. In the summer, it can be just a few centimeters deep. But during floods, it can become several meters deep. This shows how much water can be in the river at different times.
Water Flow
The amount of water flowing in the Whitemud River changes a lot each year. For example, the highest flow ever recorded was in April 1979. At Westbourne, the water flowed at 314 cubic meters per second (11,100 cubic feet per second). Sometimes, the river has even had no water flowing at all. This means it can dry up in certain spots.
The total amount of water that runs off into the river also varies greatly. In 1989, it was about 35.8 million cubic meters (29,000 acre-feet). But in 2001, it was much higher, at 610.6 million cubic meters (495,000 acre-feet). On average, the river carries about 198.6 million cubic meters (161,000 acre-feet) of water each year at Westbourne.
River Life
Many different kinds of fish live in the Whitemud River. Some of the fish you might find include:
- Northern pike
- White suckers
- Flathead minnows
- Emerald shiners
- Walleye
These fish are an important part of the river's ecosystem.
Tributaries
Several other streams and smaller rivers flow into the Whitemud River. These are called tributaries. They add water to the main river. Some of the major streams that feed the Whitemud River are:
- Big Grass River
- Pine Creek
- Squirrel Creek
- Westbourne Drain
- Rat Creek
These tributaries help to make up the total drainage area of the Whitemud River.
