Sturgeon River - Then and Now

JUST AS IT flows 260 km from its headwaters at Hoople Lake south of Entwistle to its confluence with the North Saskatchewan, the Sturgeon River also flows through 150 years of St. Albert history. Much has changed over those years, but in many ways the Sturgeon remains the (slow) beating heart of the city. Now, with growing public interest in its conservation, one can hope the river will experience a renaissance in the decades to come.

Early History

According to the Geographic Board of Canada’s 1928 Place-names of Alberta, the river’s original name was derived from the Cree word mihkwapemak, meaning “red willow.” European explorers would quickly rename it for “the abundance of sturgeon caught in the river.” Indeed, this fishier appellation appears as early as David Thompson’s 1814 map of the region.

In 1862, a year after the settlement’s founding, heavy spring run-off inspired Father Lacombe to build a bridge— the first in Canada west of the Great Lakes—following mass one Sunday. The locals, many of whom had never seen a bridge before, entertained themselves by repeatedly crossing the completed 300-foot span, which was wide enough for an ox-cart to cross.

From the beginning, the river was the go-to spot for fun and games. In summer, it was swimming, fishing, and canoeing, while winter saw weekend skating and hockey. In 1914, the paddlewheeler Ste. Thèrésa began making Sunday and holiday excursions between St. Albert and Big Lake. Dropping water levels made the route untenable after a few years, and the boat was moved to Lac Ste. Anne.

Canoeing on the Sturgeon River ca., 1920. From left to right Judith Giroux, Bertha Leonard, Roland Giroux, Lucette Giroux and Marie Leonard. Image Credit: Musée Héritage Museum

Today

Things have improved somewhat for the Sturgeon. The 2012 Sturgeon River State of the Watershed Report assessed the river’s overall health as “fair,” stressing the continued need to minimize the impact of urbanization and the loss of natural areas, as well as reducing the amount of pollution entering the water. What is clear is that much work remains to ensure the health of this important waterway so that future St. Albertans can continue to enjoy it. t8n