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Slave Lake

Coordinates:55°17′07″N114°46′14″W/ 55.28528°N 114.77056°W/55.28528; -114.77056
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the town on Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta. For the lake itself, seeLesser Slave Lake.For the much larger lake about 800 km to the northeast, seeGreat Slave Lake.For the lake east of Vancouver, British Columbia, seeStave Lake.
Slave Lake
Town
Town of Slave Lake
Main street in August 2006
Main street in August 2006
Town boundaries
Town boundaries
Slave Lake is located in M.D. of Lesser Slave River
Slave Lake
Slave Lake
Location in the M.D. of Lesser Slave River
Slave Lake is located in Alberta
Slave Lake
Slave Lake
Location in Alberta
Coordinates:55°17′07″N114°46′14″W/ 55.28528°N 114.77056°W/55.28528; -114.77056
CountryCanada
ProvinceAlberta
RegionNorthern Alberta
Planning regionUpper Athabasca
Municipal districtMunicipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124
Incorporated[1]
•VillageJanuary 1, 1961
•TownAugust 2, 1965
Government
[2]
• MayorFrancesca Ward
•Governing bodySlave Lake Town Council
• Interim CAOGarry Roth
•MPArnold Viersen(Peace River-Westlock-Cons)[citation needed]
•MLAScott Sinclair(Lesser Slave Lake-UCP)
Area
(2021)[3]
• Land14.31 km2(5.53 sq mi)
Elevation
[4]
590 m (1,940 ft)
Population
(2021)[3][5]
• Total6,836
• Density477.7/km2(1,237/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−7(MST)
• Summer (DST)UTC−6(MDT)
Postal code span
T0G 2A0 & 2S0
Area code(s)780,587, 825
HighwaysHighway 2
Bicentennial Highway
WaterwaysLesser Slave Lake
Lesser Slave River
Websiteslavelake.ca

Slave Lakeis a town innorthern Alberta,Canada that is surrounded by theMunicipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124.It is approximately 255 km (158 mi) northwest ofEdmonton.It is located on the southeast shore ofLesser Slave Lakeat the junction ofHighway 2andHighway 88.

Slave Lake serves as a local centre for the area. The administrative office for theSawridge First Nationis also located in the town.

History

[edit]

The first European known to visit the area of the present-day Town of Slave Lake was the British explorerDavid Thompson,who arrived in 1799. Following his brief visit, other British agents established severalfur tradingposts around Slave Lake, including aHudson's Bay Companypost at the mouth of the lake.

A settlement developed around the post and became known as Sawridge. It was renamed as Slave Lake in 1923. After a flood in the 1930s destroyed much of the town, it was relocated and rebuilt at its current location on higher ground. It was incorporated as a town in 1965.[6]

The Town of Slave Lake was inundated by a flood of Sawridge Creek in July 1988.[7]

2011 wildfire

[edit]
Main article:2011 Slave Lake wildfire

On May 15, 2011, large parts of the town were affected by wildfires in the area. Winds pushed the flames into town, destroying many houses and businesses. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued, but highways had been closed and residents were urged to seek refuge at beaches, large parking lots, and open spaces.[8][9]Highway 2 had been closed at the outset of the fire, but eventually re-opened for evacuation.[10]Full evacuation of all residents was ordered for Slave Lake.[11]

On May 16, 2011, provincial officials said that 40% of the town had been destroyed or damaged by the fires, including the town hall, the library, aradio station,a mall, and a significant number of homes and other buildings. No injuries or deaths were reported.[12][13][14][15]On May 17, 2011, Mayor Karina Pillay-Kinnee indicated one-third of the town had been destroyed by the wildfire.[16]On May 20, 2011, a firefighting helicopter crashed into the Lesser Slave Lake nearCanyon Creek;its pilot died at the scene. It crashed about 30 m (98 ft) off shore into water that was 1.5 m (4.9 ft) deep.[17]

On July 6,Prince WilliamandCatherine,the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visited the town to offer encouragement to residents and support for rebuilding efforts.[18]

Geography

[edit]

Climate

[edit]

Slave Lake experiences asubarctic climate(Köppen climate classificationDfc) that borders on ahumid continental climate(KöppenDfb). Summers tend to be mild with cool nights, while winters are long and severely cold.

Climate data forSlave Lake Airport
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13.6
(56.5) 		14.8
(58.6) 		17
(63) 		28.6
(83.5) 		32.5
(90.5) 		33.3
(91.9) 		32.2
(90.0) 		32.3
(90.1) 		29.6
(85.3) 		28.1
(82.6) 		19.1
(66.4) 		12.4
(54.3) 		33.3
(91.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −9.4
(15.1) 		−5.9
(21.4) 		1.2
(34.2) 		9.4
(48.9) 		16.1
(61.0) 		19.3
(66.7) 		21.2
(70.2) 		20.3
(68.5) 		14.6
(58.3) 		9.1
(48.4) 		−1.6
(29.1) 		−8.2
(17.2) 		7.2
(45.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) −14.5
(5.9) 		−11.7
(10.9) 		−4.7
(23.5) 		3.3
(37.9) 		9.7
(49.5) 		13.6
(56.5) 		15.6
(60.1) 		14.6
(58.3) 		9.2
(48.6) 		3.8
(38.8) 		−6.1
(21.0) 		−12.9
(8.8) 		1.7
(35.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −19.6
(−3.3) 		−17.4
(0.7) 		−10.6
(12.9) 		−2.9
(26.8) 		3.3
(37.9) 		7.9
(46.2) 		10.0
(50.0) 		8.8
(47.8) 		3.7
(38.7) 		−1.5
(29.3) 		−10.5
(13.1) 		−17.7
(0.1) 		−3.9
(25.0)
Record low °C (°F) −42.8
(−45.0) 		−42.5
(−44.5) 		−38.3
(−36.9) 		−26.1
(−15.0) 		−7.2
(19.0) 		−2.7
(27.1) 		2.9
(37.2) 		−2.2
(28.0) 		−7.8
(18.0) 		−21.8
(−7.2) 		−36.1
(−33.0) 		−42.5
(−44.5) 		−42.8
(−45.0)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 24.3
(0.96) 		17.3
(0.68) 		17.7
(0.70) 		21.4
(0.84) 		43.5
(1.71) 		88.2
(3.47) 		95.6
(3.76) 		72.5
(2.85) 		50.8
(2.00) 		27.2
(1.07) 		18.9
(0.74) 		25.2
(0.99) 		502.7
(19.79)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.6
(0.02) 		1.0
(0.04) 		1.7
(0.07) 		12.1
(0.48) 		40.9
(1.61) 		88.2
(3.47) 		95.6
(3.76) 		72.4
(2.85) 		48.8
(1.92) 		18.0
(0.71) 		3.1
(0.12) 		2.0
(0.08) 		384.5
(15.14)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 29.9
(11.8) 		21.2
(8.3) 		20.8
(8.2) 		10.4
(4.1) 		2.7
(1.1) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		2.2
(0.9) 		9.7
(3.8) 		19.7
(7.8) 		29.8
(11.7) 		146.5
(57.7)
Average precipitation days(≥ 0.2 mm) 12.0 10.0 9.2 7.1 10.5 14.1 15.0 12.6 12.6 10.0 11.3 12.9 137.3
Average rainy days(≥ 0.2 mm) 0.9 0.9 1.6 4.3 10.1 14.1 15.0 12.6 11.9 7.3 2.6 1.2 82.5
Average snowy days(≥ 0.2 cm) 12.5 10.2 8.6 3.6 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 4.5 10.1 13.0 64.5
Averagerelative humidity(%)(at 3pm) 76.2 71.3 64.1 51.0 47.5 55.6 59.0 59.9 60.5 59.8 73.7 77.5 63.0
Mean monthlysunshine hours 80.4 112.2 173.3 234.8 281.1 277.7 294.6 260.4 167.9 141.7 84.6 63.1 2,171.8
Percentpossible sunshine 33.3 41.3 47.3 55.4 56.1 53.4 56.5 56.0 43.8 43.5 33.5 28.2 45.7
Source:Environment Canada[19]

Demographics

[edit]
Federal census
population history
YearPop.±%
1961468—
19661,716+266.7%
19712,052+19.6%
19763,561+73.5%
19814,506+26.5%
19865,429+20.5%
19915,607+3.3%
19966,553+16.9%
20016,600+0.7%
20066,703+1.6%
20116,782+1.2%
20166,651−1.9%
20216,836+2.8%
Source:Statistics Canada
[20][21][22][23][24][25][26]

In the2021 Census of Populationconducted byStatistics Canada,the Town of Slave Lake had a population of 6,836 living in 2,405 of its 2,681 total private dwellings, a change of2.8% from its 2016 population of 6,651. With a land area of 14.31 km2(5.53 sq mi), it had a population density of477.7/km2(1,237.3/sq mi) in 2021.[3]

In the2016 Census of Populationconducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Slave Lake recorded a population of 6,651 living in 2,329 of its 2,762 total private dwellings, a-1.9% change from its 2011 population of 6,782. With a land area of 14.44 km2(5.58 sq mi), it had a population density of460.6/km2(1,192.9/sq mi) in 2016.[26]

The population of the Town of Slave Lake according to its 2007 municipal census was 7,031.[27]

Panethnicgroups in Slave Lake (2001−2021)
Panethnic

group

2021[28] 2011[29] 2001[30]
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
European[a] 3,595 54.0% 4,485 66.7% 4,480 68.6%
Indigenous 1,780 26.7% 1,690 25.1% 1,770 27.1%
Southeast Asian[b] 730 10.9% 285 4.2% 25 0.4%
South Asian 215 3.2% 100 1.5% 25 0.4%
Middle Eastern[c] 185 2.8% 145 2.2% 115 1.8%
African 90 1.4% 0 0.0% 15 0.2%
East Asian[d] 30 0.5% 20 0.3% 80 1.2%
Latin American 15 0.2% 0 0.0% 20 0.3%
Other/Multiracial[e] 20 0.3% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Total responses 6,660 97.4% 6,725 99.2% 6,530 98.9%
Total population 6,836 100% 6,782 100% 6,600 100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Sports

[edit]

In 1994, the town hosted theArctic Winter Games.This is a celebration of circumpolar sports and culture.

Club League Sport Venue Established Championships
Slave Lake Wolves
NWJHL
 Ice Hockey Arctic Ice Centre
N/A
1

Government

[edit]

Residents of Slave Lake are in theelectoral districtofPeace River—Westlockfor elections to theHouse of Commons of Canada,andLesser Slave Lakefor elections to theLegislative Assembly of Alberta.[31][32]

Media

[edit]

Media outlets serving Slave Lake and surrounding area include BOOM (FM) and the Lakeside Leader, a local community newspaper.

[edit]
  • Main Street in 2006
    Main Street in 2006
  • Main Street in 2006
    Main Street in 2006
  • Slave Lake shoreline
    Slave Lake shoreline

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
  2. ^Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
  3. ^Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
  4. ^Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
  5. ^Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority,n.i.e."and" Multiple visible minorities "under visible minority section on census.

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Location and History Profile: Town of Slave Lake"(PDF).Alberta Municipal Affairs.October 7, 2016. p. 562.RetrievedOctober 11,2016.
  2. ^"Municipal Officials Search".Alberta Municipal Affairs.2019-05-09.Retrieved2021-10-01.
  3. ^abc"Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)".Statistics Canada.February 9, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 9,2022.
  4. ^"Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)"(PDF)(PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229).RetrievedOctober 9,2013.
  5. ^"Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres".Statistics Canada.February 9, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 13,2022.
  6. ^"Town History".Town of Slave Lake. Archived fromthe originalon March 24, 2012.Retrieved2011-05-16.
  7. ^"1988 Flood Archive".Dartmouth Flood Observatory. July 2003.Retrieved2011-05-16.
  8. ^Wingrove, Josh (May 15, 2011)."Change in winds caused chaos for fire-devastated Slave Lake, Alta".The Globe and Mail.The Globe and Mail Inc.Retrieved2011-05-16.
  9. ^Ibrahim, Mariam; Jesse Snyder; Julianna Cummins (May 16, 2011)."Slave Lake burns as thousands evacuated".Edmonton Journal.Postmedia Network.Retrieved2011-05-16.
  10. ^"Wildfire Update: HWY 2 Re-Opened".93.5 Prairie FM.Newcap Radio.May 15, 2011.Retrieved2011-05-17.
  11. ^"Wildfire Update: Slave Lake".93.5 Prairie FM.Newcap Radio.May 15, 2011.Retrieved2011-05-17.
  12. ^"Slave Lake firefighters struggle to save town".CBC News.May 16, 2011.Retrieved2011-05-16.
  13. ^"Aerial view of fire damage in Slave Lake".CTV Edmonton.Retrieved2011-05-17.
  14. ^Ibrahim, Mariam; Ryan Cormier (May 16, 2011)."A third of town reduced to ashes: Slave Lake mayor".National Post.Postmedia Network.Retrieved2011-05-17.
  15. ^"Destroyed Slave Lake radio station turns to internet".CBC News.2011-05-17.Retrieved2011-05-17.
  16. ^Ibrahim, Mariam; Ryan Cormier (2011-05-17)."One-third of Slave Lake destroyed in massive wildfire, mayor says".Edmonton Journal.Postmedia Network.Retrieved2011-05-17.
  17. ^"Pilot dies in helicopter crash near Slave Lake".CBC News.2011-05-20.Retrieved2011-05-22.
  18. ^"William and Kate thrill Slave Lake residents".CBC News.2011-07-06.
  19. ^Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000.Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  20. ^"Table 9: Population by census subdivisions, 1966 by sex, and 1961".1966 Census of Canada.Western Provinces. Vol. Population: Divisions and Subdivisions. Ottawa:Dominion Bureau of Statistics.1967.
  21. ^"Table 3: Population for census divisions and subdivisions, 1971 and 1976".1976 Census of Canada.Census Divisions and Subdivisions, Western Provinces and the Territories. Vol. Population: Geographic Distributions. Ottawa:Statistics Canada.1977.
  22. ^"Table 2: Census Subdivisions in Alphabetical Order, Showing Population Rank, Canada, 1981".1981 Census of Canada.Vol. Census subdivisions in decreasing population order. Ottawa:Statistics Canada.1982.ISBN0-660-51563-6.
  23. ^"Table 2: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 and 1991 – 100% Data".91 Census.Vol. Population and Dwelling Counts – Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions. Ottawa:Statistics Canada.1992. pp. 100–108.ISBN0-660-57115-3.
  24. ^"Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data (Alberta)".Statistics Canada.Retrieved2019-05-25.
  25. ^"Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)".Statistics Canada.January 6, 2010.Retrieved2019-05-25.
  26. ^ab"Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)".Statistics Canada.February 8, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 8,2017.
  27. ^Alberta Municipal Affairs (2009-09-15)."Alberta 2009 Official Population List"(PDF).Retrieved2010-09-14.
  28. ^Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-10-26)."Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population".www12.statcan.gc.ca.Retrieved2023-01-12.
  29. ^Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2015-11-27)."NHS Profile".www12.statcan.gc.ca.Retrieved2023-01-12.
  30. ^Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-07-02)."2001 Community Profiles".www12.statcan.gc.ca.Retrieved2023-01-12.
  31. ^"Peace River–Westlock | Maps Corner | Elections Canada Online".elections.ca.Retrieved2017-09-22.
  32. ^"Provincial Electoral Divisions of Alberta as Defined by the Electoral Divisions Act, 2010"(PDF).
[edit]
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