Big River (Saskatchewan) Explained

Big River
Map:Churchill river hudson basin map.png
Map Size:250px
Pushpin Map:Saskatchewan#Canada
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of the mouth in Saskatchewan
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1: Canada
Subdivision Type2:Provinces
Source1:Witchekan Lake
Source1 Location:RM of Spiritwood No. 496
Source1 Coordinates:53.4962°N -107.5827°W
Source1 Elevation:580m (1,900feet)
Mouth:Cowan Lake
Mouth Location:RM of Big River No. 555
Mouth Elevation:483m (1,585feet)
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.

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

Notes and References

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