Clearwater River | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Article

Clearwater River

Clearwater River, 280 km long, rises in Patterson, Forest and Lloyd lakes in northwest Saskatchewan, flows southeast to Careen Lake and abruptly turns west to join the ATHABASCA RIVER at Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Clearwater River, 280 km long, rises in Patterson, Forest and Lloyd lakes in northwest Saskatchewan, flows southeast to Careen Lake and abruptly turns west to join the ATHABASCA RIVER at Fort McMurray, Alberta. It has cut spectacular gorges and waterfalls into the sandstone and limestone; the forest along its banks is still wild and is home to moose, deer, bear, wolf, lynx, geese, fox and beaver. The only westward-flowing river between Winnipeg and the Rockies, it was an important link in the FUR TRADE ROUTE, connected to the CHURCHILL RIVER via Methye Portage. The river is "clear" only in relation to others in the area.