Elkwater, Alberta

Elkwater is an unincorporated community at the western edge of the Cypress Hills in southeastern Alberta, Canada, 65 kilometres (40 mi) southeast of Medicine Hat. The main access route is via Alberta Highway 41 (Buffalo Trail), which leads south from the Trans-Canada Highway (Alberta Highway 1).

Elkwater
Unincorporated community
Elkwater
Coordinates: 49°39′39″N 110°16′54″W
Country Canada
Province Alberta
RegionSouthern Alberta
Census division1
Municipal districtCypress County
Area
 • Land2.83 km2 (1.09 sq mi)
Elevation
1,234 m (4,049 ft)
Population
 (2016)[1]
 • Total84
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST)
HighwayHighway 41
WaterwayElkwater Lake

The former hamlet is located within Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park on the southern shore of Elkwater Lake, and consists mostly of a collection of cabins. Its name is a translation of Ponokiokwe, the Blackfoot name for the lake.[2]

Flora and fauna

The Elkwater townsite lies at an elevation of about 1,225 m (4,025 ft) on the northwest slope of the Cypress Hills which, with a summit at 1,466 m (4810 ft), are the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador. Because of the elevation, the area receives more moisture than the surrounding plains. Forests of lodgepole pine, white spruce, and aspen cover the north-facing slopes above the town. Large animals include mule deer, white-tailed deer, coyote, elk, cougar, and moose, and there are many types of birds.[3] Moose and wild turkeys were introduced to the area and are not native.

Demographics

As a designated place in the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Elkwater recorded a population of 84 living in 40 of its 260 total private dwellings, a change of 68% from its 2011 population of 50. With a land area of 2.83 km2 (1.09 sq mi), it had a population density of 29.7/km2 (76.9/sq mi) in 2016.[1]

Cypress County indicates that the population of Elkwater was 84 in the 2016 Census, a change of 40% from its 2011 population of 60.[4]

As a designated place in the 2011 Census, Elkwater had a population of 50 living in 29 of its 262 total dwellings, a -53.3% change from its 2006 population of 107. With a land area of 2.71 km2 (1.05 sq mi), it had a population density of 18.5/km2 (48/sq mi) in 2011.[5]

Administration

Since the Elkwater townsite is in a provincial park, it is administered by the provincial government. Residents can never own the land on which their cottages or homes are built. Leases must be negotiated with the provincial government.

Accommodation

Elkwater has one hotel, the Elkwater Lake Lodge & Resort, which features condos, cabins, and suites.

There are 7 campgrounds near the townsite with approximately 450 campsites. They are:

  • Elkwater (Main)
  • Lakeview
  • Old Baldy
  • Beaver Creek
  • Ferguson Hill
  • Lodgepole
  • Firerock

To the east of Elkwater, camping can be found at Spruce Coulee and Reesor Lake. Closer to the Saskatchewan border, you will find Battle Creek campground. Four group camp sites are also available to rent.

Elkwater also has bed-and-breakfast and accommodation at the Bar-Zee Bed & Breakfast, located just north of the park.

Other services and facilities

Services and facilities include a convenience store, gas station, cafe, restaurant, visitor centre, ski hill, 9-hole golf course and a marina. Park administration offices for the Alberta section of the park are also located here.

Climate

Elkwater experiences a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc) that falls just short of the boundary with the humid continental climate zone (Köppen Dfb). Winters are long and cold, while summers are short and warm. Precipitation is moderate, with an annual average of 529mm.

Climate data for Elkwater
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 5.7
(42.3)		 8.6
(47.5)		 16.1
(61.0)		 19.2
(66.6)		 28
(82)		 30
(86)		 31.9
(89.4)		 31
(88)		 30.1
(86.2)		 20.6
(69.1)		 17.5
(63.5)		 13.1
(55.6)		 31.9
(89.4)
Average high °C (°F) −4.5
(23.9)		 −0.7
(30.7)		 2.5
(36.5)		 7.7
(45.9)		 13.3
(55.9)		 16.9
(62.4)		 20
(68)		 19.9
(67.8)		 15.1
(59.2)		 10
(50)		 1.3
(34.3)		 −2
(28)		 8.3
(46.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) −9
(16)		 −4.5
(23.9)		 −1.8
(28.8)		 2.6
(36.7)		 8.1
(46.6)		 11.7
(53.1)		 14.7
(58.5)		 14.4
(57.9)		 9.8
(49.6)		 5.1
(41.2)		 −2.1
(28.2)		 −6.1
(21.0)		 3.6
(38.5)
Average low °C (°F) −13.5
(7.7)		 −8.2
(17.2)		 −6.1
(21.0)		 −2.6
(27.3)		 3
(37)		 6.4
(43.5)		 9.4
(48.9)		 8.8
(47.8)		 4.6
(40.3)		 0.1
(32.2)		 −5.5
(22.1)		 −10.1
(13.8)		 −1.1
(29.9)
Record low °C (°F) −26.9
(−16.4)		 −20.8
(−5.4)		 −18.8
(−1.8)		 −14.7
(5.5)		 −9
(16)		 −5
(23)		 −1
(30)		 −4
(25)		 −10
(14)		 −11.9
(10.6)		 −16.4
(2.5)		 −32.1
(−25.8)		 −32.1
(−25.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 33
(1.3)		 6
(0.2)		 23
(0.9)		 44
(1.7)		 81
(3.2)		 110
(4.3)		 70
(2.8)		 52
(2.0)		 32
(1.3)		 18
(0.7)		 21
(0.8)		 40
(1.6)		 529
(20.8)
Source: The Weather Network[6]

See also

References
  1. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  2. Cypress Hills (Alberta) Historical Society (1991). Cypress Hills country. Elkwater, Alberta: Cypress Hills (Alberta) Historical Society. p. 137. ISBN 0-88925-918-6.
  3. Halladay, I,R. 1965. Recent biota of the Cypress Hills plateau – A general survey of the natural history. Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists, 15th Annual Field Trip Guidebook, p. 37-54.
  4. "Agenda of Cypress County Council: Cypress County Population" (PDF). Cypress County. April 18, 2017. p. 66. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  5. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  6. The Weather Network—Statistics: Elkwater, Alberta. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
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