Cypress Hills (Canada)
Cypress Hills | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 1,468 m (4,816 ft) |
Coordinates | 49°37′48″N 110°21′34″W / 49.63000°N 110.35944°W |
Geography | |
Country | Canada |
Elkwater Lake |
The Cypress Hills are a geographical region of hills in southwestern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta, Canada. The hills are part of the Missouri Coteau upland.
The highest point in the Cypress Hills is at Head of the Mountain in Alberta at 1,466 m (4,810 ft). The highest point in Saskatchewan is 1,392 m (4,567 ft), in a farmer's field in the Cypress Hills, at 49°33′N 109°59′W / 49.550°N 109.983°W.[1][2]
Name
The Cypress Hills have been known by a wide number of
Geology and geomorphology
The Cypress Hills reach a maximum elevation of 1,466 m (4,810 ft), rising about 600 m (2,000 ft) above the surrounding plains. They are the remnant of a more widespread plateau, most of which has been removed by erosion. The plateau is capped by the resistant conglomerate and sandstone beds of the Cypress Hills Formation. That formation was deposited by rivers that flowed from the mountains of southwestern Alberta and northwestern Montana during late Eocene to middle Miocene time, and is known for its wealth of vertebrate fossils.[7][8]
During the Pleistocene, the top of the Cypress Hills was not overridden by the Laurentide Ice Sheet and remained unglaciated. As the ice sheet paused periodically during its final retreat, a series of morainal ridges of glacial till built up around the hills. Rivers of meltwater cut large channels through the area as the retreat continued, and smaller streams carved coulees and areas of badlands.[9][10][11]
Today the Cypress Hills are part of a major drainage divide that separates rivers that drain south to the Gulf of Mexico via the Missouri River system from those that drain to northeast to Hudson Bay via the Nelson River system.[9] At the Dividing Springs Ranch northwest of Eastend, Saskatchewan, the water from a spring goes both south to Gulf of Mexico and northeast to Hudson Bay.[12]
Ecology
Due to their higher elevation, the upper slopes and summit of the Cypress Hills experience cooler temperatures and greater rainfall than the surrounding semi-arid plains,[13] and they support a flora and fauna that is much like that of the mountains south of the Canada–United States border in Montana and Wyoming.[14]
Flora
The north-facing slopes and some of the valleys host forests of
Fauna
Small mammals of the area include a wide variety of rodents, as well as shrews, bats, jackrabbits, skunks, mink, weasels, foxes, bobcats, Canada lynx, and others. Large mammals include moose, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, coyotes, cougars, and more.[13][14][15][16] There are several species of snakes, including the prairie rattlesnake, as well as lizards and turtles. The many species of birds range from mountain bluebird and greater sage-grouse to the great horned owl and other birds of prey.[13][14][15] Fish in Elkwater Lake and other lakes and streams in the area include walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, several species of trout, and others.
History
Historically the Cypress Hills were a meeting and conflict area for various
Interprovincial park
Cypress Hills Provincial Park – one of the six original provincial parks of Saskatchewan – was established in 1931. In 1951, it was extended into neighbouring Alberta. Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park was created in 1989, which joined the two parks on either side of the provincial border.[17]
The Saskatchewan side of the park is divided into two blocks: Centre Block, which has fully developed year round tourist facilities, and West Block Wilderness area, with rustic camping and the location of Fort Walsh National Historic Site. Centre Block is located 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Maple Creek on Highway 21. West Block is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) southwest of Maple Creek on Highway 271.
The Alberta portion of the Cypress Hills contains the tourist destination of
Climate
Cypress Hills has a subarctic climate (Dfc) bordering on a humid continental climate (Dfb) due to its elevation above the surrounding area. Summer days are mild to warm coupled with cool nights, while winters are cold and snowy with annual snowfall averaging 255.2 cm (100.5 in). It is also considerably more moist than the surrounding prairies. Precipitation peaks during the month of June, where thunderstorms are common. Chinook winds can raise the temperature 5 °C (9.0 °F) in an hour, with it not being uncommon for the temperature to go from −10 to 20 °C (14 to 68 °F) in a 12-hour period.[18] The highest single day snowfall is 60 cm (24 in) which occurred on 28 May 1982. The highest snow depth recorded is 80 cm (31 in) on 28 February 1994. The highest temperature recorded is 40.5 °C (104.9 °F) and occurred on 29 May 1988. The lowest temperature recorded is −42.5 °C (−44.5 °F) and occurred on 13 January 2005.[19]
Climate data for Cypress Hills Climate ID: 4021996; coordinates 49°40′N 109°28′W / 49.667°N 109.467°W; elevation: 1,196 m (3,924 ft); 1981−2010 normals | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 19.0 (66.2) |
18.0 (64.4) |
19.0 (66.2) |
26.0 (78.8) |
40.5 (104.9) |
34.0 (93.2) |
34.5 (94.1) |
34.5 (94.1) |
32.0 (89.6) |
28.0 (82.4) |
21.0 (69.8) |
15.0 (59.0) |
40.5 (104.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −3.0 (26.6) |
−1.4 (29.5) |
2.4 (36.3) |
9.8 (49.6) |
15.2 (59.4) |
19.1 (66.4) |
23.2 (73.8) |
22.8 (73.0) |
16.6 (61.9) |
10.1 (50.2) |
1.7 (35.1) |
−2.3 (27.9) |
9.5 (49.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −9 (16) |
−7.2 (19.0) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
3.5 (38.3) |
8.7 (47.7) |
12.7 (54.9) |
15.9 (60.6) |
15.3 (59.5) |
9.6 (49.3) |
4.0 (39.2) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
−8.0 (17.6) |
3.3 (37.9) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −15.0 (5.0) |
−13.0 (8.6) |
−8.2 (17.2) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
2.1 (35.8) |
6.3 (43.3) |
8.6 (47.5) |
7.6 (45.7) |
2.7 (36.9) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
−8.6 (16.5) |
−13.7 (7.3) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
Record low °C (°F) | −42.5 (−44.5) |
−40.0 (−40.0) |
−35.5 (−31.9) |
−26.5 (−15.7) |
−11.5 (11.3) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
−10.0 (14.0) |
−28.5 (−19.3) |
−39.0 (−38.2) |
−41.5 (−42.7) |
−42.5 (−44.5) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 33.3 (1.31) |
31.0 (1.22) |
43.3 (1.70) |
41.4 (1.63) |
74.0 (2.91) |
103.3 (4.07) |
59.7 (2.35) |
47.8 (1.88) |
58.9 (2.32) |
36.8 (1.45) |
32.8 (1.29) |
38.3 (1.51) |
600.6 (23.64) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.00) |
1.9 (0.07) |
15.9 (0.63) |
51.1 (2.01) |
103 (4.1) |
59.7 (2.35) |
46.8 (1.84) |
51.1 (2.01) |
13.6 (0.54) |
1.9 (0.07) |
0.2 (0.01) |
345.4 (13.60) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 33.3 (13.1) |
31.0 (12.2) |
41.3 (16.3) |
25.5 (10.0) |
22.8 (9.0) |
0.3 (0.1) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.9 (0.4) |
7.7 (3.0) |
23.2 (9.1) |
30.9 (12.2) |
38.1 (15.0) |
255.2 (100.5) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 9.7 | 9.6 | 10.5 | 9.8 | 11.5 | 14.3 | 10.4 | 9.8 | 9.7 | 8.4 | 9.5 | 11 | 124.3 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.81 | 4.2 | 9.5 | 14.3 | 10.4 | 9.7 | 8.8 | 4.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 63.5 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 9.7 | 9.1 | 10 | 6.4 | 2.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.7 | 4.6 | 8.9 | 10.9 | 64.1 |
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[19] |
In popular culture
The Cypress Hills region is featured in Saskatchewan-based country singer Colter Wall's 2022 single "Cypress Hills and the Big Country".[20]
See also
- List of highest points of Canadian provinces and territories
- Geography of Saskatchewan
- Geography of Alberta
References
- ^ "Table 15.3 Selected principal heights, by province and territory". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ Kerslake, Danny (5 July 2017). "Mystery of Sask.'s nameless highest point solved by podcast". CBC News. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ "AISRI Dictionary Database Search--prototype version. Assiniboine". American Indian Studies Research Institute. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- .
- ^ forêts, Gouvernement du Canada, Ressources naturelles Canada, Service canadien des. "Pin gris". aimfc.rncan.gc.ca.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^
Johnston, Alex (1987). Plants and the Blackfoot. Lethbridge: Lethbridge Historical Society. p. 6. ISBN 978-0919224728.
- ^ Leckie, D.A. and Cheel, R.J. 1989. The Cypress Hills Formation – A semi-arid braid plain deposit resulting from intrusive uplift. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 26, p. 1918-1931.
- ^ Lerbekmo, J.F. 2000. "Geology of the Alberta Cypress Hills. Edmonton Geological Society, 2000 Fall Field Trip Guide" (PDF). Edmonton Geological Society. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Broscoe, A.J. 1965. The geomorphology of the Cypress Hills–Milk River Canyon area, Alberta. Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists, 15th Annual Field Trip Guidebook, p. 74-84.
- ^ Westgate, J.A. 1968. Surficial geology of the Foremost – Cypress Hills area, Alberta. Research Council of Alberta, Bulletin 22.
- ^ Rutter, N. 2000. "Notes on the Quaternary geology. Edmonton Geological Society, 2000 Fall Field Trip Guide" (PDF). Edmonton Geological Society. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Eastend Auto Tour #3" (PDF). Town of Eastend, Saskatchewan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 July 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Halladay, I.R. 1965. A general survey of the natural history. Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists, 15th Annual Field Trip Guidebook, Part 1, Cypress Hills plateau, p. 37-54.
- ^ a b c d McCorquedale, B. 1965. Some particular aspects of the biota of the Cypress Hills. Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists, 15th Annual Field Trip Guidebook, Part 1, Cypress Hills plateau, p. 55-65.
- ^ a b c Anonymous. "Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Natural Environment". Alberta Parks. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ Saskatchewan Department of Natural Resources, Conservation Information Service (1961). Mammals of Cypress Hills Provincial Park. Regina: Government of Saskatchewan. pp. 4–6.
- ^ "Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park" (PDF). Government of Saskatchewan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 March 2006.
- ^ "Cypress Hills Info". cypresshills.com. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Cypress Hills". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment Canada. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ Michael Broerman (21 September 2022). "Colter Wall Shares "Cypress Hills and the Big Country" & Cowboy Jack Clement Cover". LiveForLiveMusic.com.