Beaverlodge

History

The town was named for the Beaverlodge River, which was known as Uz-i-pa ("temporary lodge") by members of the Beaver First Nation. The first European-Canadian settlers arrived in 1909.

In 1953, a Specialized Canadian Forces Station was built five miles northeast of the town. It was a General Surveillance Radar Station built as part of the NORAD pact with U.S. The buildings were operated by U.S military members, until the mid 60s when control was handed back to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Operations at the base ceased on April 1, 1988, when the threat of the Cold War decreased. The buildings were all eventually demolished in the mid 1990s.

Geography

Climate

Beaverlodge experiences a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc) that borders on a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb). |Jan record high C = 16.7 |Feb record high C = 16.1 |Mar record high C = 16.1 |Apr record high C = 28.9 |May record high C = 32.8 |Jun record high C = 37.5 |Jul record high C = 36.7 |Aug record high C = 34.5 |Sep record high C = 31.7 |Oct record high C = 27.8 |Nov record high C = 21.7 |Dec record high C = 16.7 |year record high C = 37.5 |Jan record low C = −47.8 |Feb record low C = −47.2 |Mar record low C = −38.9 |Apr record low C = −35.0 |May record low C = −12.2 |Jun record low C = −6.7 |Jul record low C = −5.0 |Aug record low C = −3.0 |Sep record low C = −11.7 |Oct record low C = −29.0 |Nov record low C = −40.5 |Dec record low C = −43.3 |year record low C = −47.8 | access-date = September 21, 2015}}

Demographics

population history

|1931|211 |1936|203 |1941|331 |1946|443 |1951|514 |1956|768 |1961|897 |1966|1083 |1971|1172 |1976|1332 |1981|1937 |1986|1808 |1991|1779 |1996|1997 |2001|2110 |2006|2264 |2011|2365 |2016|2465 |2021|2271

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Beaverlodge had a population of 2,271 living in 923 of its 1,022 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 2,465. With a land area of 5.38 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Beaverlodge recorded a population of 2,465 living in 953 of its 1,024 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 2,365. With a land area of 5.73 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

Attractions

In 2004, a Giant Beaver statue was unveiled in the town's park, which can be seen from Highway 43.

Sports

The town is the home of the Beaverlodge Blades, a hockey team in the North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL). The team plays out of the Beaverlodge Arena and was established in 2000.

Amenities

The town has an arena, a public library, an indoor swimming pool and play parks.

Education

There is an elementary school, grade K-6, Junior High students are bused to Hythe for grades 7–9, St. Mary's Catholic School is available for students attending grades 1–9. The high school, Beaverlodge Regional High School (BRHS), is attended by students from Wembley, Valhalla, Hythe, Horse Lakes No. 152B (Indian reserve), Kelly Lake (Metis settlement), Elmworth and St. Mary's in addition to the local Beaverlodge students.

Notable people

• Jerry Holland, ice hockey player
• Simon Hoogewerf, middle-distance runner
• Mel Knight, politician
• Chris Schmidt, ice hockey player
• Geoff Walker, curler
• Matt Walker, ice hockey player
• Brian Walker, ice hockey player
• Euphemia McNaught, impressionist painter

References

References

1. (October 7, 2016). "Location and History Profile: Town of Beaverlodge". [[Alberta Municipal Affairs]].
2. (February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres". [[Statistics Canada]].
3. (January 2012). "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)". Safety Codes Council.
4. "Beaverlodge {{!}} The Canadian Encyclopedia".
5. "ALBERTA – Canadian Military History".
6. (1949). "Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1946". [[Statistics Canada.
7. (1958). "Census of Canada, 1956". [[Statistics Canada.
8. (1967). "1966 Census of Canada". [[Statistics Canada.
9. (1977). "1976 Census of Canada". [[Statistics Canada]].
10. (1982). "1981 Census of Canada". [[Statistics Canada]].
11. (1992). "91 Census". [[Statistics Canada]].
12. "Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
13. (January 6, 2010). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
14. (February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". [[Statistics Canada]].
15. (February 8, 2017). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
16. "Giant Beaver Sculpture". Town of Beaverlodge.
17. "Attractions & Facilities". Town of Beaverlodge.