Crow Lake Ecological Reserve is located about 120 km south of Ft. McMurray on the east side of Hwy 63. The Provincial Park of the same name is on the north side of Crow Lake, while the Ecolocigal Reserve is on the south side.
Map of the Area
Any maps and map views are for general information only. Do not rely on them for navigation or to determine legal boundaries.
Other Information
This site is a complex mosaic of glacial landforms; on the Reserve’s west side are old-growth white spruce-balsam fir forests dating back 140 years. Bird species include Gray Jay, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Boreal Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Ovenbird, and Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos; lakes and waterbodies attract Bald Eagles, Osprey and Common Loon. Mammals in the reserve include Beaver, Moose, Black Bear, Wolf and Lynx.
Parts of the Reserve were burned over during the House River fire. The steep valley sides are forested with mixed stands of white spruce, aspen and some balsam fir. A forest fire swept through the Park in 2002 (Alberta Parks website, 2012).
Political Hay in 1987. 1987 was the designated Year of Wildlife Conservation in Canada by provincial and territorial wildlife ministers and their agencies. In Alberta, Wildlife ’87: Gaining Momentum was spearheaded by Cam Finlay, a well-known Alberta naturalist. More than a dozen new Natural Areas and several Ecological Reserves were designated during this period [1].
Site Statistics
| Site Name | Crow Lake |
| Site Type | Ecological Reserve |
| Subtype | Order-in-council (OC) |
| Natural Region(s) | Lower Boreal Highlands |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | 433/87 |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 2 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | 400 |
| Total Area | 938.47 ha. (2318.96 ac.) |
| Steward-Status | |
| Recreation Activities | Canoeing/kayaking, Hiking – backcountry |
| IUCN | IA |
| Operated By | Parks Division |
| Notes and Comments |
References
The following links are provided as a courtesy but are not verified or endorsed by SAPAA. Clicking on the link will cause you to leave the SAPAA website. Primary source of information is: Government of Alberta – Information & Facilities – Crow Lake Ecological Area | Alberta Parks (2022-01-29).
- History of Natural Areas and Ecological Reserves 1977-1994, SAPAA Newsletter No. 41 January 2022 pp. 3-4.
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