Freeman River
The Freeman River near Fort Assiniboine
Location
CountryCanada
ProvinceAlberta
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationFreeman River Headwaters
 • coordinates54°39′56″N 115°57′54″W / 54.66556°N 115.96500°W / 54.66556; -115.96500
 • elevation1,096 m (3,596 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Athabasca River
 • coordinates
54°19′14″N 114°47′16″W / 54.32056°N 114.78778°W / 54.32056; -114.78778
 • elevation
605 m (1,985 ft)
Freeman River

The Freeman River is a short river in west-central Alberta, Canada. The Freeman takes its name from the fur traders, who, after leaving the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company or the North West Company, decided to remain in the interior and work as free trappers or free hunters.[1]

Course

The river flows in a southeastern direction for much of its course. It flows through a significant petroleum and natural gas field near the town of Swan Hills, before being bridged by Alberta Highway 32. The river then runs parallel to Alberta Highway 33, takes on the Morse River, and joins the Athabasca River near Fort Assiniboine.

Flooding

The Freeman River has experienced significant flooding in the past. Particularly notable is the flood of July 1971, which swept away a bridge crossing the river near Fort Assiniboine, Alberta. One first-year science student from the University of Alberta, who was working with the Provincial Ecology Corps over the summer, was killed when the bridge collapsed and fell into the river.[2]

Tributaries

  • Mons Lake
  • Louis Creek
  • Judy Creek
  • Freeman Creek
  • Sarah Creek
  • Morse River

See also

References

  1. ↑ Aubrey, Merrily, Place Names of Alberta, Volume IV: Northern Alberta, (Calgary: University of Calgary, 1996), 79.
  2. ↑ The Edmonton Journal, 13 July 1971.
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