Located west of Wood Buffalo National Park, this site is an ecologically rich landscape that is home to free-roaming Bison and Woodland Caribou.
- Map of the Area
- Other Information
- Biophysical Observations (via iNaturalist.ca)
- Site Statistics
- References
- Further Reading
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 Natural Area protects a fascinating landscape of limestone caves (one cave has been measured at 300 m in length), sulphur springs and pools, oxbow lakes, and rapids along Harper Creek. The site contains mixedwood forests of predominantly aspen with some white spruce stands and shrubby meadows.
Resource extraction, logging and agricultural developments continue to infringe on this sensitive landscape, ultimately changing its ecological integrity and functioning [1].
Where’s the Stinkin’ Creek? The current name refers to an assistant on an original surveying party, Clarence Harper. It was originally called ‘Stinking Creek’ due to the presence of sulphureous gases emanating from the water [2].
Biophysical Observations (via iNaturalist.ca)
Are you a member of iNaturalist.ca? It is free to join and you can help nature by making observations with your smart phone.
If there are no or only a few observations, how about visiting and adding some? While there, complete a site inspection report (but read the Site Inspections terms and conditions first).
Observations & Projects for this Natural Area
- Observations for this Natural Area.
- No iNaturalist Projects.
Site Statistics
| Site Name | Harper Creek (OC) |
| Site Type | Natural Area |
| Subtype | Order-in-council (OC) |
| Natural Region(s) | Central Mixedwood |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | 519/95 |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 403 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | 495 |
| Total Area | 2620.00 ha. (6474.02 ac.) |
| Steward-Status | |
| Recreation Activities | none noted |
| IUCN | II |
| 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: Information & Facilities – Harper Creek Natural Area | Alberta Parks (All links accessed on 2022-12-03).
- Alberta Wilderness Association, Harper Area of Concern
- Aubrey, Merrily K., ed. Concise Place Names of Alberta. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2006, p. 144.
SAPAA 
It is hard to visit this Stinkin’ NA. For one, it is in the far North of Alberta with few roads. The second reason, why the area used to be called Stikin’ Creek, after the sulphureous gases emanating from the water, it was subsequently named for a member of the surveying party.
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