Norman Wells(Slavey language:Tłegǫ́hłı̨[t͡ɬʰɛkṍhɬĩ]"where there is oil" ) is a town located in theSahtu Region,Northwest Territories,Canada. The town, which hosts the Sahtu Regional office, is situated on the north side of theMackenzie Riverand provides a view down the valley of theFranklinandRichardsonmountains.[7]
Norman Wells
Tłegǫ́hłı̨ The Wells | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Welcome to Norman Wells | |
| Motto: Where Adventures Begin | |
  Norman Wells  Norman Wells | |
| Coordinates:65°16′52″N126°49′54″W/ 65.28111°N 126.83167°W[1] | |
| Country | Canada |
| Territory | Northwest Territories |
| Region | Sahtu |
| Settlement area | Sahtu |
| Constituency | Sahtu |
| Incorporated (town) | 12 April 1992 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Frank Pope[2] |
| • Senior Administrative Officer | Cathy Clarke[2] |
| •MLA | Paulie Chinna |
| Area (2021)[3] | |
| • Land | 82.09 km2(31.70 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 73 m (240 ft) |
| Population (2021)[3] | |
• Total | 673 |
| • Density | 9.2/km2(24/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00(MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00(MDT) |
| Canadian postal code | X0E 0V0 |
| Area code | 867 |
| Telephone exchange | 587 |
| - Living cost (2018) | 162.5A |
| - Food price index (2019) | 170.5B |
| Website | normanwells |
| Sources: Department of Municipal and Community Affairs,[2] Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre,[4] Canada Flight Supplement[5] ^A2018 figure based onEdmonton= 100[6] ^B2019 figure based onYellowknife= 100[6] | |
Demographics
editIn the2021 Canadian censusconducted byStatistics Canada,Norman Wells had a population of 673 living in 269 of its 404 total private dwellings, a change of-13.5% from its 2016 population of 778. With a land area of 82.09 km2(31.70 sq mi), it had a population density of8.2/km2(21.2/sq mi) in 2021.[3]
A total of 315 people identified asIndigenous,and of these, 195 wereFirst Nations,80 wereMétis,15 wereInuitand 20 gave multiple Indigenous responses. The main languages in the town areNorth Slaveyand English. Of the population, 78.1% is 15 and older, with the median age being 32.8, slightly less than the NWT averages of 79.3% and 34.0.[8]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 367 | — |
| 1981 | 420 | +14.4% |
| 1986 | 627 | +49.3% |
| 1991 | 627 | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 798 | +27.3% |
| 2001 | 775 | −2.9% |
| 2006 | 761 | −1.8% |
| 2011 | 727 | −4.5% |
| 2016 | 778 | +7.0% |
| 2021 | 673 | −13.5% |
| Source: Statistics Canada [3][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] | ||
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| Sources: NWT Bureau of Statistics (2008–2019),[6]NWT Bureau of Statistics (2001–2017)[16] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
History
editOilwas first seen byAlexander Mackenzieduring his exploration of the river in 1789 but it was not until 1911 that an oil bearing formation was discovered.Imperial Oil,a major employer in the town, was established in the area in 1937 with arefinerybuilt in 1939.[7]
During theSecond World War,Norman Wells was deemed important as a source of oil for military operations inAlaskaandYukon.TheCanol RoadandCanol Projectwas undertaken to enable the piping of oil toWhitehorse,with the flow starting in 1944. Although Norman Wellscrude was lightand easily flowed at temperatures as low as −62 °C (−80 °F), the line did not work well and was shut down shortly after the war ended. The road, which began at Canol Camp across the river, was abandoned.[7]The road's remains now make up theCanol Heritage Trailin the NWT.
TheNorman Wells Proven Area Agreementof 1944 is a partnership between Imperial Oil and thefederal government(administered byIndigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) that has lasted to this day.[when?]The completion of an oil pipeline from Norman Wells toZama Cityin 1985 connected to the North American pipeline grid and resulted in increased activity.[17]
Indigenous people
editTheNorman Wells Metis,a Métis group which is signatory to theSahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement,are currently negotiating self-government powers and recently[when?]signed a framework agreement towards a new treaty.[citation needed]
Transportation
edit
Norman Wells is accessible by navigating theMackenzie Riverin summer, or by driving over the winterice road,December to March, that connects withWrigleyandFort Simpson.[7]The most common method of travel into Norman Wells is by air via theNorman Wells Airportand the town is connected with bothYellowknifeandInuvik.[7]Scheduled flights are provided byCanadian NorthandNorth-Wright Airways.Beginning in June 2010 and until its amalgamation with Canadian North,First Airoffered a scheduled service into the community. In the summerfloatplaneaccess to the town is possible at theNorman Wells Water Aerodrome.During the summer months there are barge services,sealiftsto the town byMarine Transportation ServicesfromHay Riverand Cooper Barging Services from Fort Simpson.[7]Other aviation companies that have a presence in the community includeCanadian HelicoptersandAir Tindi.[18]
Services
editServices include a three-memberRoyal Canadian Mounted Policedetachment and acommunity health centrewith twonurseswith dental visits two or three times a year. There is a branch of theCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerceand two grocery stores including theNorthernstore and Rampart Rentals along with three hotels and two restaurants. Norman Wells also has a liquor store, currently the only one in the Sahtu Region. Phone service is provided byNorthwestelwith cable television and Internet access available.Mobile phoneservices are available throughBell Mobilityor Northwestel's Latitude Wireless service, which is now owned by Bell.[19]Formermember of parliamentfor theWestern Arctic,Ethel Blondin-Andrew,has a consulting service, Mountain Dene Ventures, in the town.[20]
Education
editThe community is part of theSahtu Divisional Education Counciland they operate, through the Norman Wells District Education Authority, the Mackenzie Mountain School.[21][22]The school, which has an enrolment of 150, provides education fromJunior KindergartentoGrade 12.[23][24]Aurora Collegehas a presence in the community with a community learning centre and a career centre.[19]
Climate
editNorman Wells has asubarctic climate(KöppenDfc) with summer lasting for about three months. Although winter temperatures are usually below freezing, every month of the year has seen temperatures above 5 °C (41 °F). Rainfall averages 171.7 mm (6.76 in) and snowfall 161.5 cm (63.58 in). On average, there are 35.9 days between November and April, when thewind chillis equal to or below −40,[25]which indicates thatfrostbitemay occur within 5–10 minutes. Wind chills can drop below −48 indicating that frostbite can occur in less than 5 minutes.[26]
On 8 July 2023, Norman Wells experienced a temperature of 37.9 °C (100.2 °F)[27]and on 4 February 1947 a minimum of −54.4 °C (−65.9 °F).[25]
| Climate data for Norman Wells (Norman Wells Airport) WMO ID:71043; coordinates65°16′53″N126°47′55″W/ 65.28139°N 126.79861°W;elevation: 72.5 m (238 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1943–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record highhumidex | 12.2 | 6.3 | 17.5 | 20.0 | 29.7 | 36.2 | 37.2 | 36.0 | 29.7 | 19.8 | 12.2 | 10.7 | 37.2 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 12.5 (54.5) |
7.9 (46.2) |
17.8 (64.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
31.3 (88.3) |
33.5 (92.3) |
37.9 (100.2) |
34.8 (94.6) |
28.7 (83.7) |
21.0 (69.8) |
13.3 (55.9) |
11.1 (52.0) |
37.9 (100.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −21.4 (−6.5) |
−18.0 (−0.4) |
−12.0 (10.4) |
0.9 (33.6) |
13.0 (55.4) |
21.0 (69.8) |
22.6 (72.7) |
19.1 (66.4) |
11.3 (52.3) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
−13.6 (7.5) |
−19.6 (−3.3) |
0.2 (32.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −25.4 (−13.7) |
−22.8 (−9.0) |
−18.2 (−0.8) |
−5.3 (22.5) |
6.9 (44.4) |
15.0 (59.0) |
16.8 (62.2) |
13.7 (56.7) |
6.5 (43.7) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−17.4 (0.7) |
−23.6 (−10.5) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −29.4 (−20.9) |
−27.5 (−17.5) |
−24.3 (−11.7) |
−11.5 (11.3) |
0.8 (33.4) |
8.8 (47.8) |
10.9 (51.6) |
8.2 (46.8) |
1.5 (34.7) |
−7.2 (19.0) |
−21.2 (−6.2) |
−27.5 (−17.5) |
−9.9 (14.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −52.2 (−62.0) |
−54.4 (−65.9) |
−46.1 (−51.0) |
−37.2 (−35.0) |
−17.8 (0.0) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
−6.1 (21.0) |
−15.7 (3.7) |
−31.7 (−25.1) |
−42.8 (−45.0) |
−47.8 (−54.0) |
−54.4 (−65.9) |
| Record lowwind chill | −61.7 | −60.2 | −57.5 | −43.8 | −25.1 | −6.9 | −2.2 | −9.6 | −17.7 | −39.9 | −52.4 | −62.4 | −62.4 |
| Averageprecipitationmm (inches) | 18.0 (0.71) |
17.2 (0.68) |
11.3 (0.44) |
11.1 (0.44) |
20.5 (0.81) |
35.8 (1.41) |
49.0 (1.93) |
52.5 (2.07) |
33.9 (1.33) |
23.5 (0.93) |
27.2 (1.07) |
21.6 (0.85) |
321.6 (12.66) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.2 (0.01) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.4 (0.02) |
1.3 (0.05) |
11.6 (0.46) |
35.7 (1.41) |
46.4 (1.83) |
49.1 (1.93) |
23.9 (0.94) |
3.3 (0.13) |
0.1 (0.00) |
0.0 (0.0) |
171.9 (6.77) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 22.7 (8.9) |
21.7 (8.5) |
15.8 (6.2) |
14.2 (5.6) |
7.5 (3.0) |
0.4 (0.2) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.0) |
6.4 (2.5) |
24.8 (9.8) |
27.5 (10.8) |
24.8 (9.8) |
165.8 (65.3) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 12.8 | 11.9 | 10.9 | 7.4 | 8.3 | 10.7 | 13.5 | 14.8 | 13.4 | 14.2 | 15.4 | 14.1 | 147.3 |
| Average rainy days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.17 | 0.04 | 0.21 | 0.92 | 4.8 | 9.6 | 12.0 | 12.1 | 9.9 | 2.5 | 0.22 | 0.0 | 52.4 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.2 cm) | 11.8 | 11.3 | 10.5 | 6.7 | 3.1 | 0.16 | 0.0 | 0.08 | 3.3 | 12.4 | 13.6 | 12.4 | 85.3 |
| Averagerelative humidity(%)(at 1500 LST) | 67.1 | 62.5 | 53.0 | 50.8 | 45.2 | 44.2 | 50.2 | 56.2 | 61.5 | 75.3 | 75.0 | 69.6 | 59.2 |
| Source:Environment and Climate Change Canada(1991-2020 climate normals)[25](July Maximum temperature)[27] | |||||||||||||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Norman Wells".Geographical Names Data Base.Natural Resources Canada.
- ^abc"NWT Communities - Norman Wells".Government of the Northwest Territories:Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.Retrieved16 January2014.
- ^abcd"Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Northwest Territories".Statistics Canada.9 February 2022.Retrieved18 February2022.
- ^"Northwest Territories Official Community Names and Pronunciation Guide".Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.Yellowknife: Education, Culture and Employment, Government of the Northwest Territories.Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2016.Retrieved13 January2016.
- ^Canada Flight Supplement.Effective 0901Z16 July 2020 to 0901Z 10 September 2020.
- ^abcNorman Wells - Statistical Profileat the GNWT
- ^abcdef "Norman Wells profile".Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. Archived fromthe originalon 7 February 2012.
- ^ab"Census Profile, 2016 Census Norman Wells, Town [Census subdivision], Northwest Territories and Northwest Territories [Territory]".Statistics Canada.Retrieved31 August2018.
- ^"1981 Census of Canada: Census subdivisions in decreasing population order"(PDF).Statistics Canada. May 1992.Retrieved1 February2021.
- ^"1986 Census: Population - Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions"(PDF).Statistics Canada. September 1987.Retrieved1 February2022.
- ^"91 Census: Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions - Population and Dwelling Counts"(PDF).Statistics Canada. April 1992.Retrieved1 February2022.
- ^"96 Census: A National Overview - Population and Dwelling Counts"(PDF).Statistics Canada. April 1997.Retrieved1 February2022.
- ^"Population and Dwelling Count Amendments".Statistics Canada. 4 July 2012.Retrieved1 February2022.
- ^"Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Northwest Territories)".Statistics Canada. 20 August 2021.Retrieved1 February2022.
- ^"Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Northwest Territories)".Statistics Canada. 25 July 2021.Retrieved1 February2022.
- ^Population Estimates By Communityfrom the GNWT
- ^Jolles, Wim; Tiffin, Scott (1 May 2013)."An Arctic Energy Gateway for Alberta".p. 23.Retrieved5 September2024.
- ^"Great Slave Heli/Discovery Air/Sahtu Helicopters".
- ^ab"Infrastructure"(PDF).
- ^Doing Business in Norman Wells
- ^"Sahtu Divisional Education Council".
- ^Community Groups
- ^"Mackenzie Mountain School at the SDEC".
- ^Official school site
- ^abc"Canadian Climate Normals 1991-2020 Data - Norman Wells A".Environment and Climate Change Canada.27 June 2024.Retrieved5 September2024.
- ^"Wind chill hazards".2 June 2017.Retrieved7 August2023.
- ^ab"Norman Wells Climate".Daily Data Report for July 2023.Environment and Climate Change Canada. 27 June 2024. Climate ID: 2202810.Retrieved5 September2024.
External links
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