Big Lake (Alberta)
Encyclopedia
Big Lake is a lake in central Alberta
, Canada
. It is located adjacent to the northwest corner of Edmonton
and the southwest corner of St. Albert
. Its primary inflow is the Sturgeon River
. The lake sits on the sands and gravels of the Empress Formation, an aquifer
30 m (98.4 ft) below its surface that was laid down by retreating glacial meltwaters.
Big Lake is part of the 260 km (161.6 mi) long Sturgeon River that begins at Hoople Lake and flows east to the North Saskatchewan River
. Atim Creek flows into Big Lake from the west and Carrot Creek from the north.
Big lake is home to as much as 235 different types of birds. The western bay of the lake provides rare nesting habitat for Franklin's Gull
s. The Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
is established on the shore of the lake.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife considers Big Lake to be one of the 20 most important habitat areas in Alberta. In May 1999, the Alberta Government created the Big Lake Natural Area comprising 1,119 hectares of lake and wetlands. On June 5, 2001 the lake became an Important Bird Areas site. In 2005 Big Lake became Alberta's newest Provincial Park, named Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
.
Central Alberta
Central Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Central Alberta is the most densely populated rural area in the province...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is located adjacent to the northwest corner of Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
and the southwest corner of St. Albert
St. Albert, Alberta
St. Albert is a suburban city in Alberta, located northwest of Edmonton, on the Sturgeon River. It was originally settled as a Métis community, and is now the second largest city in the Edmonton area. St...
. Its primary inflow is the Sturgeon River
Sturgeon River (Alberta)
Sturgeon River is a 260 km long river located in central Alberta, Canada. It is a major tributary of the North Saskatchewan River. The stream crosses Sturgeon County, which was named for this river....
. The lake sits on the sands and gravels of the Empress Formation, an aquifer
Aquifer
An aquifer is a wet underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials from which groundwater can be usefully extracted using a water well. The study of water flow in aquifers and the characterization of aquifers is called hydrogeology...
30 m (98.4 ft) below its surface that was laid down by retreating glacial meltwaters.
Big Lake is part of the 260 km (161.6 mi) long Sturgeon River that begins at Hoople Lake and flows east to the North Saskatchewan River
North Saskatchewan River
The North Saskatchewan River is a glacier-fed river that flows east from the Canadian Rockies to central Saskatchewan. It is one of two major rivers that join to make up the Saskatchewan River....
. Atim Creek flows into Big Lake from the west and Carrot Creek from the north.
Big lake is home to as much as 235 different types of birds. The western bay of the lake provides rare nesting habitat for Franklin's Gull
Franklin's Gull
The Franklin's Gull is a small gull.-Description:It breeds in central provinces of Canada and adjacent states of the northern United States...
s. The Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park is a provincial park in Alberta, Canada, located immediately west from Edmonton and St. Albert. It was named after Lois Hole, former Lieutenant Governor of Alberta....
is established on the shore of the lake.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife considers Big Lake to be one of the 20 most important habitat areas in Alberta. In May 1999, the Alberta Government created the Big Lake Natural Area comprising 1,119 hectares of lake and wetlands. On June 5, 2001 the lake became an Important Bird Areas site. In 2005 Big Lake became Alberta's newest Provincial Park, named Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park is a provincial park in Alberta, Canada, located immediately west from Edmonton and St. Albert. It was named after Lois Hole, former Lieutenant Governor of Alberta....
.