Big River (Saskatchewan)

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Big River
Churchill river hudson basin map.png
Churchill River drainage basin
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Location of the mouth in Saskatchewan
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Big River (Saskatchewan) (Saskatchewan)
Location
CountryFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Provinces Flag of Saskatchewan.svg  Saskatchewan
Physical characteristics
Source Witchekan Lake
  location RM of Spiritwood No. 496
  coordinates 53°29′46″N107°34′58″W / 53.4962°N 107.5827°W / 53.4962; -107.5827
  elevation580 m (1,900 ft)
Mouth Cowan Lake
  location
RM of Big River No. 555
  coordinates
53°50′00″N107°02′02″W / 53.8334°N 107.0339°W / 53.8334; -107.0339 Coordinates: 53°50′00″N107°02′02″W / 53.8334°N 107.0339°W / 53.8334; -107.0339
  elevation
483 m (1,585 ft)
Basin features
River system Beaver River drainage basin

Big River [1] is a river in the west-central part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. [2] The river begins at Witchekan Lake in the RM of Spiritwood No. 496 and heads in a north-easterly direction before emptying into Cowan Lake at the town of Big River. [3] Cowan Lake is the source for Cowan River, which is a major tributary of Beaver River. Beaver River then flows into Lac Île-à-la-Crosse and the Churchill River.

Contents

Course

Big River's source, Witchekan Lake [4] and its tributaries, are the southernmost point in the Churchill River's watershed. The lake's notable tributaries include Shuwapss Creek, Norbury Creek, and Idylwild Creek. The town of Spiritwood is at the southern end of the lake and the Witchekan Lake Indian Reserve covers much of the western shore. Big River exits Witchekan Lake at the northern end and heads in an easterly direction crossing Highway 24 then travels in a deep-cut valley through the Leoville Hills [5] [6] before emptying into Keg Lake. Highway 793 follows the river's course through much of the Leoville Hills. From Keg Lake, the landscape flattens out and Big River carries on north into the southern end of Cowan Lake at the town of Big River. [7] Highway 55 follows the river from about Keg Lake to Cowan Lake.

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. "Big River". Canadian Geographical Names Database. Government of Canada. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  2. "Boreal Plains Ecozone". ecozones. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  3. "Welcome to Big River". Big River. Big River. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  4. "Witchekan Lake". Canadian Geographical Names Database (CGNDB). Government of Canada. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  5. "Leoville Hills". Canadian Geographical Names Database (CGNDB). Government of Canada. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  6. "Leoville Hills, Saskatchewan Map". Geodata.us. Geodata.us. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  7. "Churchill River Watershed". Water Security Agency. Water Security Agency. Retrieved 10 June 2022.