Bow River

Geobox|River
name = Bow River
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state = Alberta | state_
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source = Bow Glacier
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source_elevation = 1960
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mouth = South Saskatchewan River
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mouth_elevation = 700
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length = 587
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watershed = 26200
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The Bow River is a river in the Canadian province of Alberta. It is a tributary of the South Saskatchewan River, and is considered the headwater of the Nelson River.

The name "Bow" refers to the reeds that grew along its banks and which were used by the local First Nations peoples to make bows; the Peigan name for the river is "Makhabn", meaning "river where bow weeds grow". [ [http://www.bowriverkeeper.org/about-the-river/about-the-river.shtml Bow Riverkeeper article] about the river.]

Course

The river's source is from the Bow Glacier and Bow Lake in the Canadian Rockies. It flows south to the village of Lake Louise then turns east and flows through the town of Banff then through Canmore. The Ghost Lake reservoir is formed upstream from the town of Cochrane. The Bow then flows eastward to the city of Calgary; it continues on to form the South Saskatchewan River when the Bow joins with the Oldman River near Grassy Lake in southern Alberta. Its waters are further shed in the Hudson Bay through the Saskatchewan River, Lake Winnipeg and Nelson River.

Communities located on the Bow include Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, Cochrane, Calgary, Arrowwood.

Bow River has a total length of km to mi|587|abbr=yes|precision=0 and a drainage area of km2 to mi2|26200|abbr=yes|precision=0. [ [http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/learningresources/facts/rivers.html Atlas of Canada] - Rivers in Canada]

Conservation and development

This river is an important source of drinking water, water for irrigation and hydroelectric power. It also provides habitat for wildlife and opportunities for recreation such as fishing and boating. The Bow Falls are located on the river course, near Banff. The Bow Valley Provincial Park was established in the Bow Valley and is a part of the Kananaskis park system. The river is on the right of the 8th to 14th holes of the Banff Springs Hotel golf course.

Recreation

The Bow River provides many opportunities for Boating and Fishing. Both Fly Fishermen and Spinner Fishermen share the river in [http://www.bowriverblog.com/the-four-seasons-on-the-bow/ all four seasons] of the year. Serious anglers from all over the world visit the Bow River for its thriving population of Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. The Bow River holds a resident population of Rainbow and Brown trout that has one of the best growth rates to be found on any river system in the world today. A trout that is 4 to 5 years old will be around 21 inches in length and the Bow River holds many fish that are this size or larger. This is precisely why many fishermen from all over the world choose the Bow River to fish year after year.

Outdoor adventurers use primarily three types of boats to enjoy the river, the Inflatable boat, the Jon Boat and the Canoe. The serious fly fisherman use the McKenzie Drift Boat to spend a day on the Bow River. There are several spots located on the river to launch your watercraft which include Graves Landing, Highway 22X Bridge, Policeman’s Flats and MacKinnon Flats.

Tributaries

Tributaries include the
*Johnston Creek
*Spray
*Cascade
*Kananaskis
*Ghost
*Jumpingpound Creek
*Elbow
*Fish Creek
*Highwood
*West Arrowwood Creek
*Crowfoot Creek
*Newell Creeks
*Divide Creek

Many lakes, glacial and artificial are found in the Bow Valley: Bow Lake, Hector Lake, Vermilion Lakes, Gap Lake, Lac des Arcs and Ghost Lake on the upper course, and a few man-made reservoirs along the lower course.

Photo gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.brbc.ab.ca/aboutbas.asp Bow River Basin Council]