WaterWater

First Nations & Métis First Nations & Métis Grade 8 – SK CurriculumGrade 8 – SK Curriculum

Earth & Space Science- Water Earth & Space Science- Water SystemsSystemsWS8.2WS8.2

Forces that shape the landscape - RiversForces that shape the landscape - Rivers

• South Saskatchewan River – Saskatoon Weir South Saskatchewan River – Saskatoon Weir • Major River in CanadaMajor River in Canada• 1392km long1392km long• Drainage to Hudson BayDrainage to Hudson Bay

• South SaskatchewanSouth Saskatchewan

kisiskāciwani-sīpiykisiskāciwani-sīpiy,, CreeCree for Swift flowing river for Swift flowing river

Construction of the Weir on the South SaskatchewanConstruction of the Weir on the South Saskatchewan

• The Weir was a ‘make work project’ in the 1930’sThe Weir was a ‘make work project’ in the 1930’s• Finished March 15, 1940Finished March 15, 1940• Intended to help control water levels through Saskatoon Intended to help control water levels through Saskatoon

which had fluctuated greatly before the Gardener Dam which had fluctuated greatly before the Gardener Dam was built.was built.

• Also intended to act as a reservoir in times of drought.Also intended to act as a reservoir in times of drought.• Built to ensure that the water levels remain high enough Built to ensure that the water levels remain high enough

to cover the water intakes at the power plant upstream.to cover the water intakes at the power plant upstream.• There is now an area at the Weir for people to view the There is now an area at the Weir for people to view the

Weir and the birds that gather along the Weir including Weir and the birds that gather along the Weir including the American Pelicans.the American Pelicans.

Forces that shape the landscape - RiversForces that shape the landscape - Rivers

• Pelican riding the Weir in SaskatoonPelican riding the Weir in Saskatoon

Waterfalls – Nistowiak Falls, Lac Waterfalls – Nistowiak Falls, Lac La Ronge. 10m (33ft)La Ronge. 10m (33ft)

one of the highest in SK.one of the highest in SK.

The falls are on the Rapid The falls are on the Rapid River which flows north from River which flows north from Iskwatikan Lake into Nistowiak Iskwatikan Lake into Nistowiak Lake on the Churchill River. Lake on the Churchill River. NistowiakNistowiak is is CreeCree referring to referring to the convergence of waters. the convergence of waters.

Forces that shape the landscape Forces that shape the landscape WaterfallsWaterfalls

Forces that shape the landscape Forces that shape the landscape WaterfallsWaterfalls

• Manitou Falls - Fond du Lac Manitou Falls - Fond du Lac River.River.

• Other Waterfalls in SK:Other Waterfalls in SK:• Smooth Rock Falls Smooth Rock Falls

-Clearwater River Provincial -Clearwater River Provincial Park.Park.

• Hunt Falls – on Grease River Hunt Falls – on Grease River in far North can get to it by in far North can get to it by canoe or air only.canoe or air only.

• There are more than 50 Falls There are more than 50 Falls in Saskatchewanin Saskatchewan

Forces that shape the landscape - RapidsForces that shape the landscape - Rapids

• Water forces that shape Water forces that shape the landscape the landscape

• Rapids: Otter Rapids at Rapids: Otter Rapids at junction of Otter Lake and junction of Otter Lake and the Churchill River, SK the Churchill River, SK leading to Sluice Falls.leading to Sluice Falls.

• More than 50 rapids in More than 50 rapids in SKSK

Forces that shape the landscape – Lakes & CreeksForces that shape the landscape – Lakes & Creeks

• Water forces that shape Water forces that shape the landscape the landscape

• Lakes and Rivers cover Lakes and Rivers cover approx 12% of SK approx 12% of SK

• 62 Lakes in SK (official 62 Lakes in SK (official size) if count the smaller size) if count the smaller lakes over 100,000 lakes over 100,000

• Creeks in SKCreeks in SK• 12 official size creeks 12 official size creeks

plus many smaller creeksplus many smaller creeks

Sources:Sources:

• Saskatchewan First Nations Elders • www.environment.gov.sk.ca• www.wikimapia.orgwww.wikimapia.org• www.wikipedia.orgwww.wikipedia.org• www.fishonline.orgwww.fishonline.org• http://www.npss.sk.cahttp://www.npss.sk.ca• www.agriculture.gov.sk.cawww.agriculture.gov.sk.ca• www.safewater.orgwww.safewater.org

Lori Slater Lori Slater B.Sc. Biology, BEd. Senior ScienceB.Sc. Biology, BEd. Senior Science

• Program Coordinator – Science Program Coordinator – Science