The Antler River[1] is located in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America's Great Plains[3] in south-eastern Saskatchewan and south-western Manitoba in Canada in an area known as Palliser's Triangle. Its source is in Saskatchewan's Moose Mountain Upland and it is a major tributary of the Souris River.[4] As a result, its flood levels are monitored by the United States Geological Survey.[5]

Antler River
Antler Creek
An abandoned CPR trestle over a frozen Antler River in Saskatchewan
The Red River drainage basin, with the Souris River highlighted
Antler River is located in Manitoba
Antler River
Location of mouth in Manitoba, Canada
Antler River is located in Canada
Antler River
Antler River (Canada)
Location
Countries
  • Canada
  • United States
Provinces
StateNorth Dakota
Towns
Physical characteristics
SourceMoose Mountain Upland
 • locationSaskatchewan
MouthSouris River, south of Melita
 • location
Manitoba
 • coordinates
49°08′05″N 101°00′29″W / 49.13473°N 101.00807°W / 49.13473; -101.00807
Discharge 
 • locationSouris River
Basin features
River systemRed River drainage basin
Tributaries 
 • leftAuburnton Creek, Weatherald Creek
 • rightLightning Creek
[1][2]

In 2011, several communities along the river experienced abnormally severe spring flooding that resulted in damage to many bridges crossing the river. Near Carnduff, repairs were still ongoing months after the water level had subsided.

The Antler River Recreation District is an association of communities in the south-western corner of Manitoba that are on or near the river and its related branches. Towns involved include Melita and Pierson.[6]

Course edit

 
Traffic diversion east of Carnduff, Saskatchewan to allow bridge repairs

The river starts on the eastern side of Moose Mountain Upland, north-east of the lakes of Kenosee[7] and White Bear (Carlyle). [8] and drains much of the eastern side of the upland. From there, the river heads south. It crosses Highway 13 just east of Wauchope and Highway 601. From there it continues south along the same route as the 601, crossing Highway 361 just west of Alida. As the river nears Highway 18, it is joined by Auburnton Creek and starts to head in a more south-easterly direction, crossing Highway 18 between Carnduff and Carievale. It continues south-east until it crosses into Manitoba. Two miles after crossing into Manitoba, it crosses the Canada–United States border, near the Antler–Lyleton Border Crossing, into North Dakota. The closest community to the river in North Dakota is Antler. The rivers heads east paralleling the border for about three miles before going back into Manitoba. The river then heads north-east until it meets up with the Souris River upstream and south of Melita.

Dams edit

There are two small dams along the river. One is just north-west of Carnduff. The other is in North Dakota. The North Dakota dam is called Antler Creek Dam and there is a park there called Memorial Park.[9]

Tributaries edit

  • Weatherald Creek, a creek that starts at Weatherald Lake (of which Birch and Skeleton Lakes flow into) on Moose Mountain Upland in Moose Mountain Provincial Park and meets up with Antler River as it leaves the upland.[10]
  • Auburnton Creek, a river that starts east of Cannington Lake and flows south where it meets up with the Antler River north-west of Carnduff.[11] There is a small dam on the creek about one mile upstream from where it meets Antler River.
  • Lightning Creek, a river that starts near Wawota and heads south past Redvers following Highway 8. It meets up with the Antler River about half-way between Carnduff and Carievale near where the Antler crosses Highway 18.[12]

Flora and fauna edit

The Antler River is located in the Great Plains ecoregion of North America.

Purple Locoweed (Oxytropis lambertii) is known to be found in parts of the river valley.[13]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Antler River". www4.rncan.gc.ca.
  2. ^ "Atlas of Canada Toporama". Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ News 2006 [dead link]
  5. ^ "USGS - Streamgages in the Souris River Basin in U.S. And Canada". Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Index". Archived from the original on 6 August 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  7. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Kenosee Lake". www4.rncan.gc.ca.
  8. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - White Bear (Carlyle) Lake". www4.rncan.gc.ca.
  9. ^ Antler Creek Dam, Township of Antler, Bottineau County, North Dakota, United States mindat.org
  10. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Weatherald Creek". www4.rncan.gc.ca.
  11. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Auburnton Creek". www4.rncan.gc.ca.
  12. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Lightning Creek". www4.rncan.gc.ca.
  13. ^ "Biodiversity" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 August 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2012.

External links edit

  Media related to Antler River at Wikimedia Commons   Canada portal