Bighorn River (Alberta)

The Bighorn River is a short river originating in the Alberta foothills, and is a tributary of the North Saskatchewan River.^[1] 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.^[2]

Bighorn River
Bighorn River Valley and Crescent Falls
Location
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Bighorn Meadows
• coordinates	52°17′34″N 116°32′39″W
• elevation	1,985 m (6,512 ft)
Mouth
• location	North Saskatchewan River
• coordinates	52°21′17″N 116°14′51″W
• elevation	1,216 m (3,990 ft)

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.^[3]

The Bighorn River Canyon

See also

• List of Alberta rivers

References

1. Oegema, Bart. "North Saskatchewan River". ESask. University of Regina. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
2. Karamitsanis, Aphrodite (1991). Place Names of Alberta, Volume 1. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, pg. 22
3. Mussio Ventures (2004). Southwestern Alberta Backroad Mapbook, Burnaby: Mussio Ventures.