Athabasca River

The Athabasca River originates from the Athabasca Glacier of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in Alberta. Athabasca Falls, located upstream about 30 km from the Jasper townsite in JNP, is noted for both its ferocious falls and the sound that they produce. 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.

Related Topics:
Columbia Icefield - Jasper National Park - Alberta - Athabasca Falls

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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.

Related Topics:
Lake Athabasca - Wood Buffalo National Park - Mackenzie River - Arctic Ocean

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Major tributaries include the following rivers:

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• Clearwater
• Lesser Slave
• Pembina
• Sunwapta

In Cree, the word "Athabasca" means "grass here and there".

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