Smoky River

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Smoky River
Frozen Smoky River south-east of Grande Prairie
Frozen Smoky River south-east of Grande Prairie
Origin Adolphus Lake
53°10′25″N 117°23′02″W / 53.17361, -117.38389
Mouth Peace River
56°11′09″N 117°20′03″W / 56.18583, -117.33417
Basin countries Flag of Alberta Alberta Flag of Canada Canada
Source elevation 1,680 m (5,512 ft)
Mouth elevation 315 m (1,033 ft)

Smoky River is a river in western Alberta, Canada. It is a major tributary of the Peace River. The descriptive name refers to the presence of "smouldering beds of coal in the riverbank" noted by the Cree Indians.[1]

Before merging with Peace River, Smoky River has an average discharge of 130m³/s[2] (11.1 km³/year), from a drainage area of 50,300 km².[3] From its headwaters to the Peace River, Smoky River has a total length of 492 km.[4]

Contents

[edit] Course

Smoky River originates in the Canadian Rockies, in the northern area of Jasper National Park from Adolphus Lake. It then flows north through the Willmore Wilderness Park until it reaches the town of Grande Cache. It continues north and merges into the Peace River south of the town Peace River, Alberta.

[edit] Tributaries

Adolphus Lake to Davey Creek
  • Adolphus Lake
  • Calumet Creek
  • Carcajou Creek
  • Swoda Creek
  • Chown Creek
  • Twintree Lake
  • Short Creek
  • Rockville Creek
    • Azure Lake
  • Desolation Creek
  • No Luck Creek
  • Jackpine River
  • Muddywater River
  • Wolverine Creek
  • Calypso Creek
  • Corral Creek
  • Gentain Creek
  • Goldrenrod Creek
  • Lawrence Creek
  • Henrietta Creek
  • Delome Creek
  • Davey Creek
Eaton Creek to the Peace River
  • Eaton Creek
  • Sulphur River
  • Two Cabin Creek
  • Roddy Creek
  • Muskeg River
  • Sheep Creek
  • Norris Creek
  • Bolton Creek
  • Kakwa River
  • Cutbank River
  • Micmillar Creek
  • Lignite Creek
  • Ellenwood Lake
  • Wapiti River
  • Simonette River
  • Kleskun Creek
  • Puskwaskau River
  • Bad Heart River
  • Little Smoky River
  • Hunting Creek


[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Aubrey, Merrily. Place Names of Alberta. Volume IV. Northern Alberta. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 1996, page 196
  2. ^ Alberta Environment - Smoky River discharge at Watino
  3. ^ Arctic RIMS - Smoky Discharge Station
  4. ^ Statistics Canada - Principal rivers and their tributaries, Source: Natural Resources Canada, GeoAccess Division. Last modified: 2005-02-02.