Milk River, Alberta
Milk River is a town in Alberta, Canada that is named after the Milk River which flows immediately to its south. This location results in Milk River being one of the few Canadian communities within the Mississippi River drainage system. It is south of Lethbridge, and from the Canada–United States border. It is primarily a service centre for the many farms and cattle ranches which surround it.
History
The Milk River area was first settled around the beginning of the 20th century. Milk River was incorporated as a village on July 31, 1916, and then a town on March 15, 1956.The town's motto, "Under Eight Flags", refers to the area having been under the flags of seven governments as well as the Hudson's Bay Company. Including the Hudson's Bay Company's flag, the eight flags are France, the Spanish Empire, the French Republic, the United States, the British Empire, the Canadian Red Ensign, and the current Canadian Maple Leaf.
Geography
Climate
The nearest weather station is in Masinasin, Alberta, which is approximately away.Milk River has a humid continental climate and enjoys some of the warmest summers in Alberta, along with milder winters.
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Milk River had a population of 824 living in 383 of its 436 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 827. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2021.In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Milk River recorded a population of 827 living in 375 of its 420 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 811. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2016.
Attractions
Recreation venues in Milk River include a nine-hole golf course, curling rink, and swimming pool.Rafting and canoeing the Milk River is possible in the spring months; in summer and fall river flow levels drop such that reliable canoeing and rafting cannot be had. River access can be found at Under 8 Flags Campground within the Town of Milk River, Goldsprings Park to the south of Milk River, and various bridges to the east of Milk River.
Attractions within the surrounding region that are proximate to Milk River include the following.
Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum
The Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum features a Hadrosaur nest and embryo, ancient fossils, dinosaur models.
Writing On Stone Provincial Park
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, is one of the largest areas of protected prairie in the Alberta park system, and serves as both a nature preserve and protection for the largest concentration of rock art, created by Plains People. There are over 50 rock art sites, with thousands of figures, as well as numerous archeological sites. The park is located approximately 40 km east of Milk River.