Smoky River

Last updated

Smoky River
Smoky River east of GP.JPG
Frozen Smoky River south-east of Grande Prairie
Location
Country Canada
Province Alberta
Physical characteristics
Source 
  locationAdolphus Lake
  coordinates 53°10′16″N119°07′01″W / 53.17111°N 119.11694°W / 53.17111; -119.11694
  elevation1,680 m (5,510 ft)
Mouth  
  location
Peace River
  coordinates
56°11′09″N117°20′03″W / 56.18583°N 117.33417°W / 56.18583; -117.33417
  elevation
315 m (1,033 ft)
Discharge 
  average375 m3/s (13,200 cu ft/s) [1]

The Smoky River is a river in western Alberta, Canada. It is a major tributary of the Peace River. The name refers to the presence of "smouldering beds of coal in the riverbank" noted by the Cree people, an Indigenous people of the area. [2]

Contents

It drains an area of 50,300 km2 (19,400 sq mi). [3] From its headwaters to the Peace River, the Smoky River has a total length of 492 kilometres (306 mi). [4] The average discharge is 347 m3/s (12,300 cu ft/s). [5]

Course

Confluence with Peace River Smoky and Peace rivers.jpg
Confluence with Peace River

The Smoky River originates in the Canadian Rockies, in the northern area of Jasper National Park from Adolphus Lake (53.171N 119.117W). It then flows northeast through the Willmore Wilderness Park until it passes near the hamlet of Grande Cache. It continues north, passes Watino and merges into the Peace River south of the Town of Peace River, Alberta.

Tributaries

See also

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References

  1. "The Atlas of Canada - Rivers". atlas.nrcan.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  2. Aubrey, Merrily (1996). "Our Roots / Nos Racines". Place Names of Alberta. Vol. IV. Northern Alberta. Calgary, Alberta: University of Calgary Press. p. 196. Archived from the original on 17 January 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2023.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. "Smoky Discharge Station". Arctic RIMS. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  4. "Principal rivers and their tributaries". Statistics Canada. Natural Resources Canada, GeoAccess Division. 2 February 2005. Archived from the original on 9 September 2006.
  5. "Smoky River at Watino". R-ARCTICNET. 1915–2000. Retrieved 30 October 2017.