Composed of a large OC portion and smaller PNT, this NA is located directly opposite an oil sands operation on the Athabasca River north of Fort McMurray.
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
La Saline Natural Area preserves an oxbow along the Athabasca River north of Fort McMurray. There are a number of springs in the area with tufa cones and various mineral deposits and crystal formations.
The Largest Tufa Deposits in the region are found in the Natural Area. At La Saline, tufa has formed a cone three metres wide. Tufa deposits formed here because the bedrock under much of the area consists of oil-bearing sandstones with underlying limestone formations.
Spring Water Dissolves the limestone and combines with carbon dioxide in the water to form bicarbonate. Water from the area’s springs bubbles to the surface in the Athabasca River valley where the sandstones and limestones meet. When the flow surfaces at La Saline, the carbon dioxide is lost to the atmosphere, leaving behind calcium carbonate. This substance is insoluble in water, so it precipitates out forming the hard, crust-like white deposit known as tufa (or travertine). The water collects in a shallow pool, then flows down an embankment to Saline Lake, leaving a white trail of tufa behind.
Saline Lake is An Important Waterfowl Lake because the Athabasca River serves as an important migration route for many species of birds, in particular the thousands of ducks and geese that nest on the Peace–Athabasca Delta each year. On their way to and from the nesting grounds, many birds stop to rest and feed on the quiet backwater of the lake. Some, including Coots, Mallards, Wigeons, Buffleheads and Green-winged Teal, stay and nest on the lake.
Salt Licks attract ungulates and the lake is the most productive in the region for waterfowl. (Alberta Parks website, 2012).
No Access as there are no roads or developed trails to La Saline Natural Area. The best access is from the Athabasca River [1].
Site Statistics
| Site Name | La Saline |
| Site Type | Natural Area |
| Subtype | Order-in-council (OC) |
| Natural Region(s) | Central Mixedwood |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | 327/90 |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 435 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | 483 |
| Total Area | 413.36 ha. (1021.43 ac.) |
| Steward-Status | |
| Recreation Activities | Birding |
| IUCN | III |
| Operated By | Parks Division |
| Notes and Comments |
| Site Name | La Saline (PNT) |
| Site Type | Natural Area |
| Subtype | Protective Notation (PNT) |
| Natural Region(s) | Central Mixedwood |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | N/A |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 435 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | N/A |
| Total Area | 37.81 ha. (93.44 ac.) |
| Steward-Status | |
| Recreation Activities | |
| IUCN | |
| Operated By | |
| 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 – La Saline Natural Area | Alberta Parks (All links accessed on 2022-12-18).
SAPAA 