Lesser Slave Lake
Encyclopedia
Lesser Slave Lake is a lake
located in central Alberta
, Canada
, northwest of Edmonton. It is the second largest lake entirely within Alberta boundaries (and the largest easily accessible by vehicle), covering 1160 km² (447.9 sq mi) and measuring over 100 km (62.1 mi) long and 15 km (9.3 mi) at its widest point. Lesser Slave Lake averages 11.4 m (37.4 ft) in depth and is 20.5 m (67.3 ft) at its deepest. It drains eastwards into the Athabasca River
by way of the Lesser Slave River
.
The town of Slave Lake
is located at the eastern tip of the lake, around the oultflow of Lesser Slave River. According to the town's website, the name Slave Lake originated with "an aboriginal nation derogatorily named 'Slavee
' by several tribes of the invading Cree
nation."
Due to its location on a major fly-way for migrating birds, Lesser Slave Lake is popular with birders. The nearby Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park
has lakeside camping facilities located along sand beaches, with some rocky beaches as well. Fishing is popular and legal. The entire north shore of the lake is protected, other reserves being Hilliard's Bay Provincial Park
, Lesser Slave Lake Wildland and Grouard Trail Park Reserve.
Highway 2 and the Canadian National Railway
follow the southern shore of the lake, and the Bicentennial Highway has its southernmost point at eastern end of the lake.
A number of Indian reserves are established at the shores of the lake:
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
located in central Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, northwest of Edmonton. It is the second largest lake entirely within Alberta boundaries (and the largest easily accessible by vehicle), covering 1160 km² (447.9 sq mi) and measuring over 100 km (62.1 mi) long and 15 km (9.3 mi) at its widest point. Lesser Slave Lake averages 11.4 m (37.4 ft) in depth and is 20.5 m (67.3 ft) at its deepest. It drains eastwards into the Athabasca River
Athabasca River
The Athabasca River originates from the Columbia Glacier of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada...
by way of the Lesser Slave River
Lesser Slave River
Lesser Slave River is a river in central Alberta, Canada. It is a major tributary of the Athabasca River....
.
The town of Slave Lake
Slave Lake, Alberta
Slave Lake is a town in northern Alberta, Canada, in the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124. It is located on the southeast shore of Lesser Slave Lake at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 88....
is located at the eastern tip of the lake, around the oultflow of Lesser Slave River. According to the town's website, the name Slave Lake originated with "an aboriginal nation derogatorily named 'Slavee
Slavey
The Slavey are a First Nations aboriginal people of the Dene group, indigenous to the Great Slave Lake region, in Canada's Northwest Territories, and extending into northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta....
' by several tribes of the invading Cree
Cree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
nation."
Conservation and development
Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park
Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park is a provincial park and birdwatching area located in north-central Alberta, Canada.The park is located on the north-eastern shore of the Lesser Slave Lake , 12 km north from the town of Slave Lake on Highway 88.*...
has lakeside camping facilities located along sand beaches, with some rocky beaches as well. Fishing is popular and legal. The entire north shore of the lake is protected, other reserves being Hilliard's Bay Provincial Park
Hilliard's Bay Provincial Park
Hilliard's Bay Provincial Park is a provincial park in Alberta, Canada. It is located from High Prairie, on the north-western shore of Lesser Slave Lake in northern Alberta.The park is situated at an elevation of and has a surface of...
, Lesser Slave Lake Wildland and Grouard Trail Park Reserve.
Highway 2 and the Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
follow the southern shore of the lake, and the Bicentennial Highway has its southernmost point at eastern end of the lake.
A number of Indian reserves are established at the shores of the lake:
- Kapawe'no First Nations Lands 150, 230 and 231 of the Kapawe'no First Nation,
- Sucker Creek 150a of the Sucker Creek Cree First NationSucker Creek Cree First NationSucker Creek Cree First Nation is a Cree nation located along the shore of Lesser Slave Lake near Enilda, Alberta. It is a Treaty 8 nation.-Notable members:*Harold Cardinal*Linsay Willier*Lorne Cardinal...
- Drift Pile River 150 of the Driftpile First NationDriftpile First NationThe Driftpile First Nation is a First Nation with a reserve located on the southern shore of the Lesser Slave Lake in Northern Alberta. The band has approximately 1200 members....
- Swan River 150e of the Swan River First Nation
- Sawridge 150g and h Sawridge Band