| Prince Albert National Park | |
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IUCN category II (national park)
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Lake Waskesiu in Prince Albert National Park
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Location of Prince Albert National Park in Canada
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| Location | Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Nearest city | Prince Albert |
| Coordinates | 53°57′48″N 106°22′12″WCoordinates: 53°57′48″N 106°22′12″W |
| Area | 3,874 km2 (1,496 sq mi) |
| Established | March 24, 1927 |
| Visitors | 258,613 (in 2015-16) |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
| web | |
Prince Albert National Park encompasses 3,874 square kilometres (1,496 sq mi) in central Saskatchewan, Canada and is located 200 kilometres (120 mi) north of Saskatoon. Though declared a national park March 24, 1927, it had its official opening ceremonies on August 10, 1928 performed by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. The park is open all year but the most visited period is from May to September. Although named for the city, the park's main entrance is actually 80 km (50 mi) north of Prince Albert via Highways 2 and 263 which enters the park at its southeast corner. Two additional secondary highways enter the park, No. 264, which branches off Hwy. 2 just east of the Waskesiu townsite, and No. 240, which enters the park from the south and links with 263 just outside the entry fee-collection gates.
The park ranges in elevation from 488 m (1,601 ft) on the western side to 724 m (2,375 ft) on the eastern side.
The hamlet Waskesiu Lake is the only settlement within the park, located on the southern shore of the same-named lake. Most facilities and services one would expect to find in a multi-use park are available.
The park also contains the cabin of naturalist and conservationist Grey Owl, on Ajawaan Lake.
The development of the park as a recreation destination has led to the region immediately southeast of the park boundaries – locations such as Christopher Lake, Emma Lake, Sunnyside Beach, and Anglin Lake, themselves becoming popular recreation destinations. Additional development has taken place just beyond the park's eastern entry.
Until the establishment of Grasslands National Park in the 1980s, this was the province's only national park.
Biology
Mixed forest alongside roadway
Prince Albert National Park represents the southern boreal forest region of Canada. It is a rolling, mostly forested landscape that takes in the drainage divide between the North Saskatchewan and Churchill Rivers.
The very southern part of the park is predominantly aspen forest with an understory of elderberry, honeysuckle, rose and other shrubs and openings and meadows of fescue grassland.
The fescue grasslands are considered ecologically important because of
their rarity; outside the park, most of the native fescue grasslands
have been lost to the plough or to urban development. The aspen
forest/meadow mosaic in the southwest corner of the park is particularly
unique as it sustains a growing herd of more than 400 plains bison, the only free-ranging herd in its original range in Canada that has a full array of native predators, including timber wolves.
Most of the park is dominated by coniferous forests, with the cover of jack pine and white spruce becoming more prevalent the farther north one goes. Boreal woodland caribou
from a regional population that is declining due to loss of habitat to
forest logging range sometimes into the park, but their core habitat
lies outside the park to the north. White-tailed deer, elk and, locally, moose are the common ungulates. Wolves are fairly common.
The park is noted for its numerous lakes including three very large lakes - Waskesiu, Kingsmere and Crean. The water quality is high and fish populations robust, except for lake trout
that were commercially fished to near-extinction in Crean Lake in the
early 20th century and, in spite of protection, have yet to recover
their former numbers. Northern pike, walleye, suckers and lake whitefish are among the most common larger fish. One of Canada's largest white pelican colonies nests in an area closed to public use on Lavallee Lake in the northwest corner of the park, and pelicans, loons, mergansers, ospreys and bald eagles are common in summer. Otters
are seen regularly, year round. Winter is an especially good time to
find otters as they spend considerable time around patches of open water
on the Waskesiu Lake Narrows and the Kingsmere and Waskesiu Rivers.
Ecosystems
The boreal forest extends northerly into the Canadian Shield
area from the agricultural zones of southern Canada. Prince Albert
National Park lies south of the Shield in landscapes that were shaped by
Pleistocene glaciers
that deposited glacial till, sand and other materials that were later
colonized by trees and shrubs. The ecosystems of Prince Albert National
Park are lush and productive. During the warm, humid summers there is
abundant insect life and numerous fungi, sustaining a remarkable
diversity of boreal birds and other wildlife. There are many lakes and
rivers creating wonderful water systems for a variety of waterfowl.
Wildlife
Some of the many animals are elk, moose, red foxes, beavers, white-tailed deer, badgers, bison, river otters, red squirrels, black bears, coyotes, and timber wolves. A herd of plains bison roams in the southern areas of the park where grasslands mix with woodlands. Flycatchers, Tennessee warblers, double-crested cormorants, red-necked grebes, brown creepers, nuthatches, three-toed woodpeckers, bald eagles, osprey, great blue herons, many species of ducks, and the common loon
are just a few of the water fowl and birds which make their home in the
park. There are 21 species of fish recorded in the park, including Iowa darter, yellow perch, brook stickleback, spottail shiner, cisco, northern pike (locally called "jack fish"), walleye (locally called "pickeral"), and lake trout. Although most people visit the park in summer, the best wildlife watching is often in the winter.
History
Grey Owl's cabin "Beaverlodge", Ajawaan Lake.
Graves of Grey Owl, Anahareo and Shirley Dawn at Ajawaan Lake.
The beaver lodge inside Grey Owl's cabin.
BP – before present.
There are archeological traces of pre-history in the park reserve in the form of tools which have been located.
- Early Pre contact (11,000 to 7500 BP)
- Middle Pre contact (7500 to 2000 BP)
- Late Pre contact (2000 to 200 BP)
- Post Contact or Historic (200 BP to Present).
At Waskesiu Lake was an early Hudson's Bay Company fur trade post between 1886 and 1893.
In the early 20th century the industries of fishing and logging
were carried out in this boreal forested area. The large 1919 forest
fire eliminated the logging industry.
The park was the subject of a short film in 2011's National Parks Project, directed by Stéphane Lafleur and scored by Andre Ethier, Mathieu Charbonneau and Rebecca Foon.
Grey Owl
The Dominion Parks Service hired Grey Owl, Archibald Stanfield Belaney (1888-April 13, 1938), as the first naturalist. He lived on Ajawaan Lake in Prince Albert National Park and wrote of wilderness protection: Pilgrims of the Wild (1935), Sajo and the Beaver People (1935) and Empty Cabin (1936). He was played by Pierce Brosnan in the feature film, Grey Owl (1999).
Activities
There are many things to do in this park:
Scenic driving tours
There are a few main roads through the park.
- The Narrows Road along Waskesiu Lake's southern shore, with many points of interest and picnic areas, ending at a 200-metre narrows, where there is a campground.
- Lakeview Drive or Scenic Route #263 which provides access to several other lakes: Namekus, Trappers, Sandy (also called Halkett); as well as many trails.
- Highway 264 to Kingsmere River, which accesses a small boat or canoe launch site midway between Kingsmere and Waskesiu lakes, and a trail through a railway portage to Kingsmere Lake.
Picnicking
There are many picnic sites within the park, set up with picnic tables, scenic views, campfire pits and swimming areas.
- Namekus Lake
- Sandy Lake
- South Gate
- Meridian Day
- South Bay
- Trippes Beach
- King Island
- Paignton Beach
- The Narrows
- Waskesiu River
- Waskesiu Landing (Main Marina)
- Point View
- Birch Bay
- Heart Lakes
- Kingsmere
Hiking
These
trails are 3 kilometres in length or less. They each have descriptive
guided brochures which help to identify the natural sights along the
way.
- Boundary Bog Trail
- Mud Creek Trail
- Treebeard Trail
- Waskesiu River Trail
- Kingsmere River Trail
- Amiskowan Trail
- Ice-Push Ridge Trail
- Narrows Peninsula Trail
- Spruce River Highlands Tower Trail
There are longer trails for the backpacker and hiker which vary from 13 kilometres in length and to 54 kilometres (return).
- Kingfisher Trail
- Grey Owl Trail
- Freight Trail
- Kinowa Trail
- Elk Trail
- Fish Trail
- Hunters Trail
- Spruce River Highlands Trail
Swimming
Surrounding
Waskesiu Lake there are several beaches to take in swimming during the
hot summer months. There are also good beaches at the south end of
Kingsmere Lake (boat or trail access), Namekus Lake, and Sandy Lake.
Canoeing
Bagwa
Canoe Route and Bladebone Canoe Route are two canoe routes of varying
lengths. As well the park offers a multitude of lakes which are
amenable to the canoe enthusiast. Amiskowan, Shady, Heart, Kingsmere
and Waskesiu lakes are just a few of them.
Boating
Power
boats are only permitted on some Prince Albert National Park lakes.
Motor boats are allowed on Waskesiu, Crean, Kingsmere, Sandy and the
Hanging Heart Lakes. There is a limit of 40 horse power motors on
Kingsmere. The Waskesiu Marina, Heart Lakes Marina and the Narrows have
boat launches (permit and fee required) and docks. Boat, canoe and kayak
rentals are available at all three, by the hour or by the day. The
Waskesiu Marina has a concrete breakwater. A permit is required to use
boat launch facilities. Personal watercraft are not allowed on any
lakes. Canoes, kayaks and sail boats are allowed on all waters.
Fishing
Just
like those who used the waters for commercial fishing in the early 20th
century, campers may also find relaxation fishing for northern pike,
walleye, lake trout, whitefish, or yellow perch. The park requires
purchase of its own licences to fish in the park. Limits and seasons
are different than in the province of Saskatchewan. Some areas, e.g.,
spawning grounds, are closed to fishing.
Camping
At this
park one can choose from serviced or unserviced 'front country' camping
or go by canoe/boat and backpacking, and choose 'back country' camping.
Most back country camping occurs on Kingsmere and Crean lakes. Permits
and fees are required for all camping, whether front or back country.
Front country sites can be reserved by website or telephone.
Open fires are allowed at campsites (Excluding Red Deer
Campground), after payment for a "fire permit" (fire permits are not
required in picnic areas).
The following are accessible by automobile and can accommodate trailers and motorhomes:
- Beaver Glen Campground on the east margins of the Waskesiu town site has electricity to half of its 213 sites (no water or septic hook-ups), washrooms with hot and cold water and showers, central septic tank service and drinking water. Sites can be booked in advance through the Parks Canada Campground Reservation Service through a toll free number or via online reservation. Details about how to reserve can be found at the Parks Canada website.
- Red Deer Campground, formerly "Trailer Court" is to the immediate South-West of Beaver Glen in the Waskesiu townsite. This site has power, water and sewage hookups at each of its 161 pull through sites and is designed for large trailers and motorhomes. There are no open fires are allowed at Red Deer. Sites in Red Deer can be booked in advance in the same way as Beaver Glen.
- The Narrows Campground has flush toilet washrooms with cold water only, and no other services. Sites at The Narrows are First Come First Served.
- Namekus, Trappers, Sandy Lakes have septic tank toilets, water source (not drinkable without treatment). These sites are also First Come First Served.
There are a series of boat-accessible campsites – the level of waves
that can come up with overnight weather changes on Waskesiu, Kingsmere
and Crean lakes, provide some risk for boats that cannot be completely
pulled out of the water at night.
Interpretive programs
The nature centre in the Waskesiu townsite has information about interpretive programs
- Freight Trail – 27 km one way
- Elk Trail – 39 km one way
- Fish Lake Trail – 12 km one way
- Hunters Lake Trail – 12 km one way
- Westside Boundary Trail – 37 km one way
- Red Deer Trail – three loops totalling 17 km
- Kinowa Trail – 5 km one way
- Amyot Lake Trail – 15.5 km loop
Bicycle rentals are available in Waskesiu townsite.
Wildlife and bird watching
Flycatchers,
Tennessee warblers, red-necked grebe, brown creepers, nuthatches,
three-toed woodpeckers, bald eagle, osprey, great blue herons, common
loon are just a few of the many bird species to be seen in the park.
Elk, black bear, fox, moose, beaver, deer, otter are a sampling of wild
life of the park area.
Although most people visit the park in summer, the best wildlife
watching is often in the winter. Wolves often travel on the frozen
lakes and along the ploughed roads, and elk and deer are common right in
the town of Waskesiu. Open water at the Narrows on Waskesiu Lake and
where the Waskesiu River exits from the lake makes otter sightings very
reliable. Foxes, including the red, cross and silver colour phases, are
frequent sightings in winter too.
Aurora watching
Due to the park's northern latitude, Auroras are very common on clear nights even when solar activity is relatively low.
Golfing
Stanley Thompson
designed an 18-hole golf course in the park. It was built in the early
1930s. Its official name is the Waskesiu Golf Course, but is often
called "The Lobstick" after a tournament it hosts each year.
