Big River, Saskatchewan
Big River is a town located on the southern end of Cowan Lake in north central Saskatchewan, Canada. It is just north of Saskatchewan's extensive grain belt on Highway 55 (part of the inter-provincial Northern Woods and Water Route) and about 16 kilometres (10 mi) west of Prince Albert National Park. Delaronde Lake is accessed east of the town. Big River is approximately 132 kilometres (82 mi) from Prince Albert.
Big River | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Motto: Gateway to the North | |
Big River Location of Big River in Saskatchewan Big River Big River (Canada) | |
| Coordinates: 53°50′13″N 107°02′06″W / 53.837°N 107.035°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Saskatchewan |
| Census division | No. 16 |
| Rural Municipality | Big River |
| Post office founded | 1910 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Dave Krawetz |
| • Administrator | Noreen Olsen |
| • MLA Saskatchewan Rivers | Nadine Wilson |
| • MP Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River | Gary Vidal |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.51 km2 (0.97 sq mi) |
| Population (2016)[1] | |
| • Total | 700 |
| • Density | 255.0/km2 (660/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Central Standard Time |
| Postal code | S0J 0E0 |
| Area code | 306 |
| Highways | Highway 55 |
| Website | http://www.bigriver.ca/ |
| [2][3][4] | |
Except for some land cleared for farming and a few natural meadows, the town is surrounded by the northern boreal forest.
History edit
Big River began as a company town created as a base for the lumber industry at the turn of the 20th century. Commercial fishing also played a major role in the town in the early years.[5] In 1910 a post office opened in Big River.[6] It incorporated in 1921.[7]
Demographics edit
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Big River had a population of 666 living in 296 of its 340 total private dwellings, a change of -4.9% from its 2016 population of 700. With a land area of 2.68 km2 (1.03 sq mi), it had a population density of 248.5/km2 (643.6/sq mi) in 2021.[8]
| 2021 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 666 (-4.9% from 2016) | 639 (-12.2% from 2006) |
| Land area | 2.68 km2 (1.03 sq mi) | 2.51 km2 (0.97 sq mi) |
| Population density | 248.1/km2 (643/sq mi) | 255.0/km2 (660/sq mi) |
| Median age | 40.4 (M: 38.0, F: 45.2) | 40.9 (M: 38.4, F: 42.0) |
| Private dwellings | 340 (total) 296 (occupied) | 307 (total) |
| Median household income | $63,600 |
Big River Regional Park edit
Big River Regional Park (53°50′16″N 107°01′26″W / 53.8379°N 107.0239°W)[13] is a regional park located in the town of Big River that is divided into two sections. At the western end of Main Street, on the eastern shore of Cowan Lake, is Cowan Lake Campground. It has 16 campsites, lake and beach access, modern washrooms/showers, a camp kitchen, a boat launch, a fish cleaning station, and a children's playground. The other campground is located on the north side of town and is called the Community Centre Campground. It has 49 individual campsites as well as group camping, washrooms/showers, ball diamonds, laundry, horseshoe pits, and a playground.[14][15]
Kitty-corner to the Community Centre Campground is the 9-hole Big River Golf Course. It was built in 1971 and is a 2,935-yard, par 35 grass green course. It has a licensed clubhouse and pro shop.[16][17]
Education edit
There are two schools in the community. Big River Public High School (Grade 7 to 12) & TD Michel Public School (Pre-K to Grade 6). They are part of the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division #119 out of Prince Albert.
Notable people edit
- Métis film producer and director Wil Campbell[18] was born here. He helped establish the first video program for Aboriginal people with Alberta Native Communications in 1968 and founded the Dreamspeakers Festival Society and the National Film Board's Native Studio.
- Barry Pederson, former NHL player
- Jim Neilson, former NHL player
See also edit
References edit
- ^ . Statistics Canada. Government of Canada. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ National Archives, Archivia Net. . Archived from the original on 6 October 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ Government of Saskatchewan, MRD Home. . Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ Commissioner of Canada Elections, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada (2005). . Archived from the original on 21 April 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ "Timber Trails (A History of Big River)". Retrieved 2 November 2012.
- ^ "Library and Archives Canada-Post Offices and Postmasters". Retrieved 2 November 2012.
- ^ Hamilton, William (1978). The Macmillan Book of Canadian Place Names. Toronto: Macmillan. p. 249. ISBN 0-7715-9754-1.
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Saskatchewan". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
- ^ "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. 20 August 2019.
- ^ "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. 18 July 2021.
- ^ "Big River Regional Park". Canadian Geographical Names Database. Government of Canada. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Big River". Regional Parks of Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan Regional Parks. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Big River Regional Park". Tourism Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Big River Golf Course | Tourism Saskatchewan".
- ^ "Big River Golf Course".
- ^ . Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
External links edit
- Official website