Bighorn River (Alberta)

Infobox River
river_name = Bighorn River


caption = Bighorn River Valley and Crescent Falls
origin = Bighorn Meadows
coord|52|17|34|N|116|32|39|W|scale:10000_type:river_region:CA-AB
mouth = North Saskatchewan River
coord|52|21|17|N|116|14|51|W|scale:10000_type:river_region:CA-SK
basin_countries = CAN
length =
elevation = m to ft|1985|abbr=yes
mouth_elevation = m to ft|1216|abbr=yes
discharge =
watershed =

The Bighorn River is a short river originating in the Alberta foothills, and is a tributary of the North Saskatchewan River. The river, as well as the nearby Bighorn Range and Bighorn Dam are named for the Bighorn sheep which dominate the area. The name first appeared in 1865. [Karamitsanis, Aphrodite (1991). "Place Names of Alberta, Volume 1." Calgary: University of Calgary Press, pg. 22 ]

Flowing under Mount McGuire, Bighorn River soon takes on Littlehorn and Sunkay Creeks, before plummeting over the impressive Crescent Falls. After the falls, the Bighorn travels through a significant canyon, before passing through the Bighorn Indian Reserve. The river then empties into the North Saskatchewan River after Lake Abraham. [Mussio Ventures (2004). "Southwestern Alberta Backroad Mapbook," Burnaby: Mussio Ventures.]

References

ee also

*List of Alberta rivers