Country Canada | Province Alberta Census division 17 Elevation 320 m (1,050 ft) | |
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High Level is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located at the intersection of the Mackenzie Highway (Highway 35) and Highway 58, approximately 733 kilometres (455 mi) north of Edmonton and 725 kilometres (450 mi) south of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. It is located within Mackenzie County and was founded in 1947.
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History
The name High Level originated from the height of the land that separates the Peace and the Hay Rivers. The original location was approximately 3.5 miles north of the present spot and along the old Fort Vermilion/Meander River freighting trail, serving as a stopping place, not a town. The original High Level Sports Grounds were at this location and the old trail was still visible there in the mid 1960s. The High Level Golf & Country Club currently occupies this approximate location. For many years, High Level was known as Tloc Moi (Hay Meadow). The first fur traders arrived in this area in 1786, but it was not until 1947 that High Level was settled, with development of road access to Fort Vermilion being the primary factor in determining the town's present location. High Level's first power plant was established in 1957, and a year later the first post office was built. The oil fields were discovered in the 1960s, and a railway was run to the area in 1963.
Geography
High Level marks the northern extent of the Peace River Country, and has one of the northernmost lands suited for agriculture in Canada. It is surrounded to the north and west by muskeg tundra.
Climate
High Level has a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc), with precipitation falling chiefly during the spring and summer, and wide temperature variations, rendering warm summers for the classification. The hottest recorded temperature, of 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) was on August 9, 1985, with the coldest recorded temperature -50.6 °C (-59.1 °F) on January 13, 1972. The name notwithstanding, this town lies at a low elevation for an Alberta community and the regional topography contributes to the extremes of temperature. In winter, very cold air often pools over the area. In summer, air masses originating from higher elevations warm by compression as they descend to High Level. Summer temperatures render High Level well within the vegetation zone, and winter average temperatures are less severe than further east in Canada even on lower latitudes.
Fauna
High Level has a variety of wildlife, including wolves, coyotes, ravens, and many types of insects. Hunters can find moose, deer, bear and geese. There are over 150 species of birds known to nest in the area.
Demographics
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High Level recorded a population of 3,159 living in 1,096 of its 1,339 total private dwellings, a 2998868000000000000♠−13.2% change from its 2011 population of 3,641. With a land area of 29.2 km2 (11.3 sq mi), it had a population density of 108.2/km2 (280.2/sq mi) in 2016.
The population of the Town of High Level according to its 2015 municipal census is 3,823, a 3000300000000000000♠−0.7% change from its 2004 municipal census population of 3,849.
In the 2011 Census, the Town of High Level had a population of 3,641 living in 1,272 of its 1,463 total dwellings, a -6.3% change from its 2006 population of 3,887. With a land area of 31.99 km2 (12.35 sq mi), it had a population density of 113.8/km2 (294.8/sq mi) in 2011. Of its population in 2011, 7001503000000000000♠50.3% (1,830) were male and 7001497000000000000♠49.7% (1,810) were female.
Economy
The area surrounding High Level is known for its oil reserves and forests. Two large oil and gas fields, Rainbow Lake and Zama, are located west of the town, which provides services to the oil patch. One OSB mill (which closed in 2007, and reopened in 2015 after the merger of Ainsworth and Norbord) is located south of High Level and a dimensional lumber mill is located in the town's industrial area. The mill is estimated to be reopened this fall, work is underway revamping the mill and preparing for a milling season this winter.
Government
The town has a council consisting of a mayor (Crystal McAteer) and five councillors (Scott Chandler, Ellis Forest, Chris MacLeod, Michael Morgan, and Jacy Rapke).
Infrastructure
Both airplane and helicopter services are available in High Level. Due to the 'remote' or northern location, medevac and chartered services, provided by Nor-Alta Aviation, Gemini Helicopters and Delta Helicopters, are offered to serve the surrounding communities.
Scheduled airline service is offered by both Central Mountain Air and Northwestern Air Lease; direct flights to Edmonton, Calgary, Lloydminster, Rainbow Lake, Hay River and Fort Smith are offered daily except Saturdays.
Medevac and air charter company Airborne Energy Solutions provides fixed-wing and rotary services internationally.
Telephone service is provided by the incumbent carrier Telus as well as Northwestel.
Regional businesses are represented by the High Level & District Chamber of Commerce
Education
High Level has three public schools and one private school.
Media
The local radio station is CKHL-FM 102.1, part of the YL Country network of stations based at CKYL in Peace River. In addition, two radio services have repeaters: CBXL 99.5 FM, carrying CBC Radio One as a repeater of CBX Edmonton, and CFKX-FM 106.1, repeating CKKX-FM from Peace River. The local newspaper is The Echo.
Television is available by way of locally-owned low-powered analogue repeaters of CITV-DT Edmonton (CH2807 channel 10) and CHAN-DT Vancouver (CH2808 channel 12), both owned by the High Level Community Hall Society.
The cable television system, in operation for 25 years as High Level Cable, was purchased in August 2006 by Northwestel Cable. Both analog and digital formats are available for television service. High-speed Internet service is also available from Northwestel.