The Highwood River is a tributary of the Bow River in southwestern Alberta, Canada.
| Highwood River | |
|---|---|
 The Highwood from Alberta Highway 40 | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Peter Lougheed Provincial Park |
| • coordinates | 50°36′37″N 114°58′34″W / 50.61032°N 114.97613°W |
| • elevation | 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Bow River |
• coordinates | 50°49′03″N 113°46′44″W / 50.81743°N 113.77892°W |
• elevation | 950 meters (3,120 ft) |
Course
edit
The Highwood originates in the Canadian Rockies in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, in the Highwood Pass below Mount Arethusa. It flows south and is paralleled by the Kananaskis Trail between Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park, Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park, and Emerson Creek Park. It turns east and flows along Highway 541 and through the community of Longview. Continuing east, it passes through High River, ending when it enters the Bow River southeast of Calgary.
Recreation
editThe river is known for flyfishing. A variety of trout species live in the river, including native bull trout. In springtime when the snow is melting the river offers white water rafting.
Flooding
editThe Highwood River is subject to frequent flooding. Flood events of exceptional magnitude occurred in 1894, 1899, 1902, 1908, 1912, 1923, 1929, 1932, 1942, 1995, 2005 and 2013.[1] Most recently during the 2013 Alberta floods, thousands of people in Alberta were ordered to evacuate their homes after the rise of the Highwood River, Bow River, Elbow River and numerous others.[2][3] Three people died as a result of the flooding of the Highwood River.[4]
Tributaries and features
editFrom origin to mouth, the Highwood River receives the following tributaries or passes through these geographic features:
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Little Bow Project/ Highwood Diversion Plan. Application to Construct a Water Management Project to Convey and Store Water Diverted from the Highwood River" Report of the NRCB/CEAA Joint Review Panel. Application #9601 - Alberta Public Works, Supply and Services. May 1998.
- ^ Calgary neighbourhoods underwater as Bow River's rise continue
- ^ "Alberta flooding claims at least 3 lives". CBC News. 2013-06-22. Archived from the original on 2013-08-25.
- ^ "RCMP confirm three dead in Alberta floods that forced 100,000 to evacuate". National Post. June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.