Athabasca River
The
Athabasca River originates from the Athabasca Glacier of the Columbia Icefield in
Jasper National Park in
Alberta. This river has been designated a Canadian Heritage River because of its importance to the fur trade and the construction of railways and roads opening up the Canadian west.
The Athabasca River travels 1500 km before draining into Lake Athabasca in Wood Buffalo National Park. From there, its waters join the Mackenzie River system which flows into the Arctic Ocean.
Major tributaries include the following rivers:
- Clearwater
- Lesser Slave
- Pembina
In
Cree, the word "Athabasca" means "grass here and there".