ANOTHER LOOK AT THE RED DEER RIVER

     The Red Deer River has it's source in the Rocky Mountains not far from the city. There is a major dam about 30 km upstream from the city. This dam controls the river's flow very effectively so that flooding and problems with low winter flow can be avoided.

     Now I like the river and have photographed in other areas.

     The other morning I had some time and took photos of an area that at I rarely visit. The area is where the river flows through the downtown. This area has been altered by development of the city core. Bridges have been built and abandoned. A large water intake and treatment plant are on the bank.

    However , it's still an attractive part of the river.

    Let's take a look.

Red Deer River in Fall Colors

        Over the past two years I have tried to do a collection of Red Deer River pictures for winter, spring summer and fall. I did not get the fall pictures last year as I was too late and missed the best of the colors.

 

        I have taken all pictures from approximately the same position so that the seasons can be compared. The name of the river in this area is  river bend. There is a long lazy ess bend which makes for an interesting section of the river. The bends are approximately 2 kms in length. There are riffles and a few small rapids so it is a popular river to canoe. To go from Red Deer To Drumheller takes about four days and you will see very few other humans. You will see lots of birds, animals and a few cows who stare at you as you float by.

       At this time of the year the water level is fairly low. There are a few places where you could wade across. Most of it is deeper than wading depth. There are many large boulders so it keeps you on your toes.

       So the Red Deer River is a very enjoyable canoe trip if you have lots of time.

Red Deer River Summer Vistas

        You saw pictures of the Red Deer River in early April in a post called Red Deer River Vistas.. There were still snowbanks in the shady areas. You commented and caused some more ideas to form on the Red Deer River topic.

       So here are some summer pictures of the same area of the river that was shown in early April. I also found a couple of late July flowers to include. I hope you enjoy these.

Looking up river again on a long straight stetch. You can just see a white house at the top of the bank at the far end.

Looking up river from the parking lot around a wide lazy bend.

Looking down river over a two to three hundred meter long set of rapids.

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Northern Bedstraw(Galium boreale) a common plant a long the edges of the woods.

Red DeerRiver Vistas

       April the fourth, Easter Sunday, was a good day for a walk because a huge delicious Easter dinner was in store for me. My wife and I decided a walk along the banks of the Red Deer River would be the perfect exercise to prepare for Easter dinner. When we got to the river we found the trails wet, muddy, slushy and snow covered so the walk was limited.

      I had decided to take my camera just in case something interesting was encountered.

Something interesting was found. At Red Deer, the Red DeerRiver is basically a mountain stream with steep banks.

For some unknown reason I thought the house at the top of the distant ridge would make a great picture centered by the river. The white house is barely visible. The guy has a billion dollar view as the house is about 2 kms away. The 2 kms of river is braided with islands and at most times there are tremendous numbers of waterfowl.

This stretch of river has some areas of small rapids. In the distance the river runs out of room and has to make a sharp left turn.

A couple of hundred kms from here the Red Deer River becomes a classic prairie river with a well developed valley and high banks. It is then running through the badlands around Drumheller , Alberta.

For a super canoe trip, this river is tops. The rapids are not challenging and the stream is fast. Most of the time you do not see any evidence of human activity...just you and the river.

So later on, the dinner was enjoyed and the exercise was valued.