Country Canada Mouth Smoky River | Province British Columbia | |
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Main source Kakwa Lake, Kakwa Provincial Park
1,495 m (4,905 ft) River mouth Smoky River
670 m (2,200 ft) Source Kakwa Provincial Park and Protected Area Similar Two Lakes Provincial Park, Pierre Grey's Lakes Pr, Saskatoon Island Provincial, Sulphur Gates Provincial, Pipestone Creek | ||
The Kakwa River is a tributary of the Smoky River in western Alberta, Canada.
Contents
The river is named for Kakwa, the Cree word for porcupine. Porcupines are abundant in Kakwa Provincial Park and Protected Area.
Tourism along the river revolves around bull trout fishing and white water rafting. Kakwa Falls (54.10913°N 119.92350°W / 54.10913; -119.92350 (Kakwa Falls)) are developed in the course of the river, over a 30-metre (98 ft) high ledge formed by an outcrop of the Cadomin Formation. The area was designated a protected wildland (Kakwa Wildland Park). It can be accessed through the forestry road network south of Highway 666, approximately 35 kilometres (22 mi) south of Two Lakes Provincial Park.
Course
The Kakwa River originates in Kakwa Lake, north of McBride, in British Columbia, at an elevation of 1,495 metres (4,905 ft). The surrounding area is protected by Kakwa Provincial Park and Protected Area. The river flows north-east into the province of Alberta in Kakwa Wildlands Park, then flows east and north-east through the foothills. It is crossed by the Bighorn Highway before it converges into the Smoky River, at an elevation of 670 metres (2,200 ft).
Tributaries
From its origins to its mouth, Kakwa River receives waters from: