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High River

Coordinates: 50°34′50.7″N 113°52′28.0″W / 50.580750°N 113.874444°W / 50.580750; -113.874444
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For other uses, see High River (disambiguation).
High River
Town
Town of High River
Aerial view photo taken of downtown High River Alberta in July 2017
Aerial view photo taken of downtown High River Alberta in July 2017
Official logo of High River
High River is located in Alberta
High River
High River
Location of High River in Alberta
Coordinates: 50°34′50.7″N 113°52′28.0″W / 50.580750°N 113.874444°W / 50.580750; -113.874444
CountryCanada
ProvinceAlberta
RegionCalgary Region
Census division6
Municipal districtFoothills County
Incorporated[1] 
 • VillageDecember 6, 1901
 • TownFebruary 12, 1906
Government
[2]
 • MayorCraig Snodgrass
 • Governing body[3]
High River Town Council
  • Cathy Couey
  • Jamie Kinghorn
  • Carol MacMillan
  • Michael Nychyk
  • Bruce Masterman
  • Don Moore
 • ManagerTom Maier
 • MLAChelsae Petrovic
Area
 (2021)[4]
 • Land22.19 km2 (8.57 sq mi)
Elevation
[5]
1,040 m (3,410 ft)
Population
 (2021)[4][7][8]
 • Total
14,324
 • Density645.4/km2 (1,672/sq mi)
 • Municipal census (2019)
14,052
 • Estimate (2020)
14,434[6]
Time zoneUTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Forward sortation area
T1V
Area code(s)403, 587, 825, 368
HighwaysHighway 2
Highway 23
WaterwayHighwood River
WebsiteOfficial website
[citation needed]

High River is a town within the Calgary Metropolitan Region of Alberta, Canada. It is approximately 68 kilometres (42 mi) south of Calgary, at the junction of Alberta Highways 2 and 23. High River had a population of 14,324 in 2021.

History

[edit]
Hangars at the High River Air Station in 1922

The community takes its name from the Highwood River, which flows through the town.[9] The area was originally inhabited largely by the Blackfoot First Nation, who called the site Ispitzee (or the "place of high trees along running water"). By 1870, after the arrival of the North-West Mounted Police and after Treaty Number 7 had been signed in 1877, settlers began arriving into the region.[10][11] High River's development centered on a convenient location for people, horses and cattle to cross the Highwood River - a location known as "The Crossing".[12]

Development of the town was supported by the completion of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway in 1892.[10][12] High River incorporated as a village on December 5, 1901, and was incorporated as a town on February 12, 1906.[1] Future Senator and area rancher Daniel Edward Riley would serve as the Town of High River's first mayor.[13]

Although growth slowed during the First World War, it continued after the war with the building of brick structures and a number of industries. One of Canada's first air force stations was constructed to the east of the town in 1921[14][15] The establishment of a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan elementary flying training school at the same air station helped boost High River's economy during the Second World War.[10][11]

High River continued to grow throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s the downtown saw some major redevelopment, and redevelopment is continuing.

Floods

[edit]
Main article: 2013 Alberta floods

The Highwood River is subject to frequent flooding. Flood events of exceptional magnitude occurred in 1894, 1899, 1902, 1908, 1912, 1923, 1929, 1932, 1942, 1995, 2005 and 2013.[16] Most recently during the 2013 Alberta floods, thousands of people in Alberta were ordered to evacuate their homes after the rise of the Highwood River, Bow River, Elbow River, Sheep River, and numerous others.[17][18] In 2013, three people died as a result of the flooding of the Highwood River.[19]

Geography

[edit]

Climate

[edit]

High River experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb). Summer days are mild to warm with cool nights, while winters are cold and snowy with annual snowfall averaging 69 inches (175 cm).[20]

Climate data for High River
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 20.6
(69.1) 		23.0
(73.4) 		22.2
(72.0) 		30.0
(86.0) 		33.3
(91.9) 		35.0
(95.0) 		37.2
(99.0) 		35.6
(96.1) 		33.9
(93.0) 		31.7
(89.1) 		24.4
(75.9) 		20.0
(68.0) 		37.2
(99.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −0.1
(31.8) 		1.6
(34.9) 		4.8
(40.6) 		10.9
(51.6) 		15.8
(60.4) 		19.3
(66.7) 		23.0
(73.4) 		23.1
(73.6) 		17.7
(63.9) 		11.9
(53.4) 		4.4
(39.9) 		-0
(32) 		11.0
(51.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) −6.5
(20.3) 		−4.9
(23.2) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		4.1
(39.4) 		8.8
(47.8) 		12.5
(54.5) 		15.3
(59.5) 		15.0
(59.0) 		10.2
(50.4) 		5.1
(41.2) 		−1.6
(29.1) 		−6.2
(20.8) 		4.2
(39.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −12.9
(8.8) 		−11.3
(11.7) 		−8.1
(17.4) 		−2.8
(27.0) 		1.7
(35.1) 		5.7
(42.3) 		7.6
(45.7) 		7.0
(44.6) 		2.7
(36.9) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		−7.6
(18.3) 		−12.3
(9.9) 		−2.7
(27.1)
Record low °C (°F) −45
(−49) 		−43.3
(−45.9) 		−40.6
(−41.1) 		−30
(−22) 		−19.4
(−2.9) 		−4.4
(24.1) 		−3.9
(25.0) 		−16.7
(1.9) 		−16.1
(3.0) 		−29.4
(−20.9) 		−37
(−35) 		−45
(−49) 		−45
(−49)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 20.4
(0.80) 		19.2
(0.76) 		33.0
(1.30) 		38.7
(1.52) 		72.8
(2.87) 		111.0
(4.37) 		60.2
(2.37) 		59.6
(2.35) 		55.0
(2.17) 		24.8
(0.98) 		26.5
(1.04) 		27.1
(1.07) 		538.6
(21.20)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.2
(0.01) 		0.0
(0.0) 		2.1
(0.08) 		12.1
(0.48) 		58.1
(2.29) 		110.9
(4.37) 		60.2
(2.37) 		59.6
(2.35) 		49.7
(1.96) 		9.5
(0.37) 		1.2
(0.05) 		0.1
(0.00) 		363.7
(14.32)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 20.0
(7.9) 		19.0
(7.5) 		31.0
(12.2) 		27.0
(10.6) 		15.0
(5.9) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		5.0
(2.0) 		15.0
(5.9) 		25.0
(9.8) 		17.0
(6.7) 		175.0
(68.9)
Source: Environment Canada[21]

Demographics

[edit]
Federal census
population history
YearPop.±%
1901153—    
19061,018+565.4%
19111,182+16.1%
19161,182+0.0%
19211,198+1.4%
19261,377+14.9%
19311,459+6.0%
19361,359−6.9%
19411,430+5.2%
19461,674+17.1%
19511,888+12.8%
19562,102+11.3%
19612,276+8.3%
19662,239−1.6%
19712,676+19.5%
19763,598+34.5%
19814,792+33.2%
19865,096+6.3%
19916,269+23.0%
19967,359+17.4%
20019,345+27.0%
200610,716+14.7%
201112,920+20.6%
201613,584+5.1%
202114,324+5.4%
Source: Statistics Canada
[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]
[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High River had a population of 14,324 living in 5,787 of its 5,950 total private dwellings, a change of 5.4% from its 2016 population of 13,594. With a land area of 22.19 km2 (8.57 sq mi), it had a population density of 645.5/km2 (1,671.9/sq mi) in 2021.[4]

The population of the Town of High River according to its 2019 municipal census is 14,052,[45] a 19.3% change from its 2010 municipal census population of 11,783.[46]

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High River recorded a population of 13,584 living in 5,367 of its 5,655 total private dwellings, a 5.1% change from its 2011 population of 12,930. With a land area of 21.39 km2 (8.26 sq mi), it had a population density of 635.1/km2 (1,644.8/sq mi) in 2016.[44]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High River recorded a population of 14,324 living in 5,790 of its 5,790 total private dwellings, a 5.4% change from its 2016 population of 14,324. With a land area of 22.19 km2 (8.57 sq mi), it had a population density of 645.5/km2 (1,671.9/sq mi) in 2021.[47]

Arts and culture

[edit]

As part of High River's tourism and heritage endeavours, a number of murals illustrating High River's history were painted around town.[48] The first of which were painted in the 1990s, and the most recent one being completed in 2016.[49]

Attractions

[edit]

The Museum of the Highwood (c. 1911–12), which sustained smoke, water and fire damage following a fire in the building's attic in July 2010, is on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.[50]

Education

[edit]

High River is part of the Foothills School Division No. 38, as well as the Christ The Redeemer Catholic Schools Division.

Foothills School Division:

  • École Joe Clark School – Grades K-5
  • Spitzee Elementary School – Grades K-5
  • École Senator Riley Middle School – Grades 6–8
  • École Secondaire Highwood High School – Grades 9–12

Christ The Redeemer Catholic Schools:

  • Holy Spirit Academy – Grades K-6
  • Notre Dame Collegiate – Grades 7–12

Media

[edit]
  • CHRB AM 1140, community radio
  • CFXO-FM 99.7, country music
  • CKUV-FM 100.9, classic hits
  • High River Times

Notable people

[edit]

Film and television

[edit]

High River has been used as a filming location for the following films and television series:

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Location and History Profile: Town of High River" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. June 17, 2016. p. 323. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  2. ^ "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. May 9, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  3. ^ Mayor & Council - The Town of High River
  4. ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  5. ^ "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)" (PDF) (PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  6. ^ "Census Subdivision (Municipal) Population Estimates, July 1, 2016 to 2020, Alberta". Alberta Municipal Affairs. March 23, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  7. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  8. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  9. ^ Karamitsanis, Aphrodite, Ed. Place names of Alberta. Volume II. Southern Alberta. pg. 58. Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism and Friends of Geographical Names of Alberta Society and University of Calgary Press. 1992. ISBN 0-919813-95-X. Retrieved January 19, 2015
  10. ^ a b c High River Downtown ARP Final Draft, O2 Planning + Design, page 25, Nov. 2014. Archived January 7, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved January 19, 2015
  11. ^ a b Knupp, Lillian. Life and Legends: A History of the Town of High River. Calgary: Sandstone Publishing Ltd., 1982.
  12. ^ a b Alberta Culture and Town of High River. A Walking Tour of High River. Archived 2015-04-22 at the Wayback Machine Edmonton: Alberta Culture. Retrieved January 19, 2015
  13. ^ "Dan Riley fonds". albertaonrecord.ca. Archives Society of Alberta. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  14. ^ BCATP Station High River and No. 5 Elementary Flying Training School Archived July 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Bomber Command Air Museum. Retrieved: January 13, 2015.
  15. ^ Roberts, Leslie. There Shall Be Wings. Toronto: Clark, Irwin and Co. Ltd., 1959. No ISBN. pg 40.
  16. ^ "Little Bow Project/ Highwood Diversion Plan. Application to Construct a Water Management Project to Convey and Store Water Diverted from the Highwood River" Report of the NRCB/CEAA Joint Review Panel. Application #9601 - Alberta Public Works, Supply and Services. May 1998.
  17. ^ Calgary neighbourhoods underwater as Bow River's rise continue
  18. ^ Alberta floods prompt widespread downtown Calgary evacuations
  19. ^ "RCMP confirm three dead in Alberta floods that forced 100,000 to evacuate". National Post. June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  20. ^ Canada, Environment and Climate Change (September 25, 2013). "Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data - Climate - Environment and Climate Change Canada". climate.weather.gc.ca. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  21. ^ "High River". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 (in English and French). Environment Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  22. ^ "Table IX: Population of cities, towns and incorporated villages in 1906 and 1901 as classed in 1906". Census of the Northwest Provinces, 1906. Vol. Sessional Paper No. 17a. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1907. p. 100.
  23. ^ "Table I: Area and Population of Canada by Provinces, Districts and Subdistricts in 1911 and Population in 1901". Census of Canada, 1911. Vol. I. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1912. pp. 2–39.
  24. ^ "Table I: Population of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta by Districts, Townships, Cities, Towns, and Incorporated Villages in 1916, 1911, 1906, and 1901". Census of Prairie Provinces, 1916. Vol. Population and Agriculture. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1918. pp. 77–140.
  25. ^ "Table 8: Population by districts and sub-districts according to the Redistribution Act of 1914 and the amending act of 1915, compared for the census years 1921, 1911 and 1901". Census of Canada, 1921. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1922. pp. 169–215.
  26. ^ "Table 7: Population of cities, towns and villages for the province of Alberta in census years 1901–26, as classed in 1926". Census of Prairie Provinces, 1926. Vol. Census of Alberta, 1926. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1927. pp. 565–567.
  27. ^ "Table 12: Population of Canada by provinces, counties or census divisions and subdivisions, 1871–1931". Census of Canada, 1931. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1932. pp. 98–102.
  28. ^ "Table 4: Population in incorporated cities, towns and villages, 1901–1936". Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1936. Vol. I: Population and Agriculture. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1938. pp. 833–836.
  29. ^ "Table 10: Population by census subdivisions, 1871–1941". Eighth Census of Canada, 1941. Vol. II: Population by Local Subdivisions. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1944. pp. 134–141.
  30. ^ "Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1926–1946". Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1946. Vol. I: Population. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1949. pp. 401–414.
  31. ^ "Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1871–1951". Ninth Census of Canada, 1951. Vol. I: Population, General Characteristics. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1953. p. 6.73–6.83.
  32. ^ "Table 6: Population by sex, for census subdivisions, 1956 and 1951". Census of Canada, 1956. Vol. Population, Counties and Subdivisions. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1957. p. 6.50–6.53.
  33. ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  34. ^ "Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1901–1961". 1961 Census of Canada. Series 1.1: Historical, 1901–1961. Vol. I: Population. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1963. p. 6.77–6.83.
  35. ^ "Population by specified age groups and sex, for census subdivisions, 1966". Census of Canada, 1966. Vol. Population, Specified Age Groups and Sex for Counties and Census Subdivisions, 1966. Ottawa: Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1968. p. 6.50–6.53.
  36. ^ "Table 2: Population of Census Subdivisions, 1921–1971". 1971 Census of Canada. Vol. I: Population, Census Subdivisions (Historical). Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1973. p. 2.102–2.111.
  37. ^ "Table 3: Population for census divisions and subdivisions, 1971 and 1976". 1976 Census of Canada. Census Divisions and Subdivisions, Western Provinces and the Territories. Vol. I: Population, Geographic Distributions. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1977. p. 3.40–3.43.
  38. ^ "Table 4: Population and Total Occupied Dwellings, for Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1976 and 1981". 1981 Census of Canada. Vol. II: Provincial series, Population, Geographic distributions (Alberta). Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1982. p. 4.1–4.10. ISBN 0-660-51095-2.
  39. ^ "Table 2: Census Divisions and Subdivisions – Population and Occupied Private Dwellings, 1981 and 1986". Census Canada 1986. Vol. Population and Dwelling Counts – Provinces and Territories (Alberta). Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1987. p. 2.1–2.10. ISBN 0-660-53463-0.
  40. ^ "Table 2: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 and 1991 – 100% Data". 91 Census. Vol. Population and Dwelling Counts – Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1992. pp. 100–108. ISBN 0-660-57115-3.
  41. ^ "Table 10: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions, Census Subdivisions (Municipalities) and Designated Places, 1991 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data". 96 Census. Vol. A National Overview – Population and Dwelling Counts. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1997. pp. 136–146. ISBN 0-660-59283-5.
  42. ^ "Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  43. ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. January 6, 2010. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  44. ^ a b "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  45. ^ 2019 Municipal Affairs Population List (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. December 2019. ISBN 978-1-4601-4623-1. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  46. ^ "2010 Official Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. September 15, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  47. ^ "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population: Profile table: High River". Statistics Canada. 2022-02-09. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  48. ^ The Town of High River Historic Murals. Archived 2015-01-20 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved January 20, 2015
  49. ^ "Historic Murals". Town of High River. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  50. ^ Map at the Canadian Register of Historic Places. historicplaces.ca
  51. ^ White, Ryan (October 7, 2022). "Who is Danielle Smith? UCP leader and Alberta's next premier". CTV News.
  52. ^ Rushworth, Kevin (February 11, 2014). "Fargo continues High River film shoot". High River Times. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  53. ^ Extras sought for Season 2 of Tin Star Retrieved March 31, 2018
  54. ^ Where is Tin Star Filmed? Retrieved March 31, 2018
  55. ^ Skeet, Russell. "Zombies Take Over High River". HighRiverOnline.com. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  56. ^ Lackey, Angela (July 19, 2021). "High River's council approves filming of The Last of Us TV series in town". The High River Times. Postmedia Network. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to High River, Alberta.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for High River.
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