Cardinal River

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Cardinal River
Cardinal River from the Rocky Pass Trail
Cardinal River from the Rocky Pass Trail
Origin Cardinal River Headwaters
52°54′02″N 117°23′02″W / 52.90056, -117.38389
Mouth Brazeau River
52°51′52″N 116°35′15″W / 52.86444, -116.5875
Basin countries Flag of Alberta Alberta Flag of Canada Canada
Source elevation 2,224 m (7,297 ft)
Mouth elevation 1,288 m (4,226 ft)

Cardinal River is a short river in western Alberta, Canada. It flows from the Canadian Rockies, and empties into the Brazeau River, itself a major tributary of the North Saskatchewan River.

At its origin, just east of Jasper National Park, the Cardinal River forms in a basin between Tripoli, Cheviot, Prospect, Climax, and Blackface Mountains, as well as Mount Cardinal. From there it flows east, through the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies and into the foothills. A portion of Grave Flats Road follows the river before it reaches the Bighorn Highway, where it empties into the Brazeau River south of Pembina Forks.

The Cardinal river, and other surrounding landmarks, are named for Jacques Cardinal, a local fur trader. His grave is located on the banks of the river.[1]

[edit] Tributaries

  • Toma Creek
  • Russell Creek
  • Nomad Creek
  • Ruby Creek
    • Ruby Lakes, Flapjack Lake, Flapjack Creek
  • Grave Creek
  • Muskiki Creek
    • Muskiki Lake




The Cardinal River from the Cardinal River Road
The Cardinal River from the Cardinal River Road


[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Karamitsanis, Aphrodite (1991). Place Names of Alberta, Volume 1. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, pg. 41