Big River is a town located on the southern end of Cowan Lake in north central Saskatchewan, Canada. It is just north of Saskatchewan's extensive grain belt on Highway 55 (part of the inter-provincial Northern Woods and Water Route) and about 16 kilometres (10 mi) west of Prince Albert National Park. Delaronde Lake is accessed east of the town. Big River is approximately 132 kilometres (82 mi) from Prince Albert.
Except for some land cleared for farming and a few natural meadows, the town is surrounded by the northern boreal forest.
History
Big River began as a company town created as a base for the lumber industry at the turn of the 20th century. Commercial fishing also played a major role in the town in the early years.[5] In 1910 a post office opened in Big River.[6] It incorporated in 1921.[7]
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Big River had a population of 666 living in 296 of its 340 total private dwellings, a change of -4.9% from its 2016 population of 700. With a land area of 2.68 km2 (1.03 sq mi), it had a population density of 248.5/km2 (643.6/sq mi) in 2021.[8]
Big River Regional Park (53°50′16″N107°01′26″W / 53.8379°N 107.0239°W / 53.8379; -107.0239)[13] is a regional park located in the town of Big River that is divided into two sections. At the western end of Main Street, on the eastern shore of Cowan Lake, is Cowan Lake Campground. It has 16 campsites, lake and beach access, modern washrooms/showers, a camp kitchen, a boat launch, a fish cleaning station, and a children's playground. The other campground is located on the north side of town and is called the Community Centre Campground. It has 49 individual campsites as well as group camping, washrooms/showers, ball diamonds, laundry, horseshoe pits, and a playground.[14][15]
Kitty-corner to the Community Centre Campground is the 9-hole Big River Golf Course. It was built in 1971 and is a 2,935-yard, par 35 grass green course. It has a licensed clubhouse and pro shop.[16][17]
Education
There are two schools in the community. Big River Public High School (Grade 7 to 12) & TD Michel Public School (Pre-K to Grade 6).
They are part of the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division #119 out of Prince Albert.
Notable people
Métis film producer and director Wil Campbell[18] was born here. He helped establish the first video program for Aboriginal people with Alberta Native Communications in 1968 and founded the Dreamspeakers Festival Society and the National Film Board's Native Studio.
^Commissioner of Canada Elections, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada (2005). "Elections Canada On-line". Archived from the original on 21 April 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
