Bow River
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Bow River flows through Banff National Park. The colour of the water is due to the high load of glacial flour. |
The
Bow River is a river in the
Canadian province of
Alberta.
The river's source is in the
Bow Glacier and Bow Lake in the
Canadian Rockies. It flows through
Banff National Park, then the town of
Canmore and the city of
Calgary; it continues on to form the
South Saskatchewan River when the Bow joins with the
Oldman River near
Grassy Lake. Its total length is 623 kilometres (387 miles).
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 River is known as a world class trout fishing destination. Resident populations of
rainbow trout,
brown trout,
brook trout,
bull trout,
rocky mountain whitefish, and numerous coarse species of fish inhabit the river. Original stocking of this river occurred through accident in 1925 when a stocking truck with fingerling trout destined for somewhere else broke down near the river. The driver, rather than have his cargo die, released about 45,000 fry into the river. These fish took hold in the river and now support an industry that brings in millions of dollars a year from sportfishermen.
Tributaries include the
* Pipestone
* Spray
*
Cascade* Kananaskis
*
Ghost*
Elbow*
HighwoodThe river got its name because trees grew along it that Aboriginal peoples used to make
bows.
*
Bow River Basin Council
