Maligne River

The Maligne River (/məˈln/ mə-LEEN)[1] is a medium-sized river in the Canadian Rockies. It runs through parts of Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. The Maligne is a major tributary of the Athabasca River. The river takes from the French word for malignant or wicked. It is theorised that a Belgian priest (Pieter Jan De Smet ) voyageur created this name in reference to the current of the river near its confluence with the Athabasca River.[2]

Maligne River
The Maligne River River north of Maligne Lake
Location
CountryCanada
ProvinceAlberta
Physical characteristics
Source 
  locationReplica Peak
  coordinates52°32′01″N 117°28′30″W
  elevation2,048 m (6,719 ft)
Mouth 
  location
Athabasca River
  coordinates
52°56′02″N 118°01′59″W
  elevation
1,019 m (3,343 ft)

Geography

The Maligne River begins south of Maligne Lake. Forming from the meltwater of Replica Peak, the river heads north, passing under Mount Mary Vaux, Lysfran Peak, Mount Unwin, and Mount Charleton before emptying into Maligne Lake. The Maligne River drains the north end of Maligne Lake and heads northwest to Medicine Lake. It then flows west, entering the Athabasca River.[3] Below Maligne Lake, it is a losing stream; its flow mostly disappears underground at Medicine Lake, only to reappear downstream in Maligne Canyon.

See also

References

  1. Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary, 3rd ed. (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1997; ISBN 0877795460), p. 696.
  2. Karamitsanis, Aphrodite (1991). Place Names of Alberta, Volume 1. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, pg. 153
  3. Mussio Ventures. Central Alberta Backroad Mapbook. Burnaby: Backroad Mapbooks (2002)
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