Rocky Mountain House, Alberta

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Rocky Mountain House, Alberta

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Rocky Mountain House
—  Town  —
Town of Rocky Mountain House

Coat of arms
Rocky Mountain House is located in Alberta
Rocky Mountain House
Location of Rocky Mountain House in Alberta
Coordinates: 52°22′31″N 114°55′18″W / 52.37528°N 114.92167°W / 52.37528; -114.92167Coordinates: 52°22′31″N 114°55′18″W / 52.37528°N 114.92167°W / 52.37528; -114.92167
Country  Canada
Province  Alberta
Region Central Alberta
Census division 9
Municipal district Clearwater County
Founded 1799
Incorporated 1912 (Town)
Government[1]
 • Mayor Fred Nash
 • Governing body Rocky Mountain House Town Council
 • MP Blaine Calkins
 • MLA Joe Anglin
Area (2011)[2]
 • Total 12.99 km2 (5.02 sq mi)
Elevation 989 m (3,245 ft)
Population (2011)[2]
 • Total 6,933
 • Density 533.6/km2 (1,382/sq mi)
Time zone MST (UTC−7)
 • Summer (DST) MDT (UTC−6)
Postal code span T4T
Area code(s) +1-403
Highways David Thompson Highway
Cowboy Trail
Waterways North Saskatchewan River
Website Town of Rocky Mountain House

Rocky Mountain House is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada, approximately 77 km (48 mi). It is located west of the City of Red Deer at the confluence of the Clearwater and North Saskatchewan Rivers, and at the crossroads of Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail) and Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway). The surrounding Clearwater County's administration office is located in Rocky Mountain House.[3]

Contents

History

The town has a long history dating to the 18th century with the presence of British and Canadian fur traders during the westward Canadian expansion. In 1799 the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company each established the Rocky Mountain House and Acton House fur trading posts. Trade with the local aboriginal peoples continued until 1821 when the companies merged, they continued to trade until 1875 (Parks Canada) and closed the Rocky Mountain House post. The name of the settlement however remained.

The Rocky Mountain House settlement also served as a launching point for many explorers such as David Thompson, in search for a passage west to the Pacific Ocean. Many travellers used this location as a stop on their way further west or northwest, just as they do into the 21st century.

The next wave of adventurers entered the region at the beginning of the 20th century in search of opportunities presented by lush farmland and the abundance of natural resources. Rocky Mountain House became a firmly established town by 1912. Settlers of Scandinavian origin made up a significant part of early 20th century settlement in the region.

Demographics

In the 2011 Census, the Town of Rocky Mountain House had a population of 6,933 living in 2,651 of its 2800 total dwellings, a 0.9% change from its 2006 population of 6,874. With a land area of 12.99 km2 (5.02 sq mi), it had a population density of 533.72/km2 (1,382.3/sq mi) in 2011.[2]

The population of the Town of Rocky Mountain House according to its 2007 municipal census is 7,231.[4]

In 2006, Rocky Mountain House had a population of 6,874 living in 2,719 dwellings, a 10.7% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of 12.44 km2 (4.80 sq mi) and a population density of 552.6 /km2 (1,431 /sq mi).[5]

Economy

The economy of the Rocky Mountain House area is driven by petroleum, agriculture, and forestry.[6] Tourism also plays a role in its economy[6] due to its location at the crossroads of Highway 22 and Highway 11, and its location midway between Red Deer and the scenic Alberta's Rockies region.

Politics

Provincial

Rocky Mountain House is located within the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre provincial electoral district, which is represented by Joe Anglin of the Wildrose Party.

Municipal

Rocky Mountain House's town council consists of Mayor Fred Nash and councillors Sandy Andersen, Sheila Mizera, Ernie Murias, Randy Saler, Bill Symko, and Donald Verhessen.[7]

Climate

Rocky Mountain House has a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc) that borders on a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb).

Climate data for Rocky Mountain House
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 15.7
(60.3)
19
(66)
18.4
(65.1)
27.7
(81.9)
31
(88)
30.1
(86.2)
32.1
(89.8)
32.5
(90.5)
31.6
(88.9)
28.8
(83.8)
20.7
(69.3)
16.4
(61.5)
32.5
(90.5)
Average high °C (°F) −4.1
(24.6)
−2.7
(27.1)
3.2
(37.8)
10.5
(50.9)
16
(61)
19.4
(66.9)
21.3
(70.3)
20.9
(69.6)
16.1
(61.0)
11.2
(52.2)
1.1
(34.0)
−3.8
(25.2)
9.1
(48.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) −11.1
(12.0)
−9.6
(14.7)
−3.4
(25.9)
3.6
(38.5)
8.9
(48.0)
12.8
(55.0)
14.7
(58.5)
14
(57)
9
(48)
4
(39)
−5.3
(22.5)
−10.5
(13.1)
2.3
(36.1)
Average low °C (°F) −18
(0)
−16.4
(2.5)
−9.9
(14.2)
−3.4
(25.9)
1.7
(35.1)
6.2
(43.2)
8
(46)
7
(45)
1.8
(35.2)
−3.2
(26.2)
−11.8
(10.8)
−17.2
(1.0)
−4.6
(23.7)
Record low °C (°F) −41
(−42)
−44.1
(−47.4)
−37.1
(−34.8)
−27.2
(−17.0)
−7.5
(18.5)
−2
(28)
0.2
(32.4)
−4.1
(24.6)
−9.6
(14.7)
−30.1
(−22.2)
−38.7
(−37.7)
−43.7
(−46.7)
−44.1
(−47.4)
Precipitation mm (inches) 18.4
(0.724)
14.3
(0.563)
17.3
(0.681)
25.1
(0.988)
66.7
(2.626)
84.4
(3.323)
107.1
(4.217)
68.1
(2.681)
70.1
(2.76)
26.5
(1.043)
18.8
(0.74)
18.5
(0.728)
535.4
(21.079)
Source: Environment Canada[8]

Recreation

The Recreation, Parks & Community Services Department hosts five annual tournaments. They include two slo-pitch, a sno-pitch, a volleyball and a hockey/slo-pitch combined tournament.

Other amenities include a swimming pool, an ice surface, tennis courts and skatepark.

See also

References

  1. ^ Town of Rocky Mountain House. "Town Council". http://www.rockymtnhouse.com/town-members.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-01. 
  2. ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 2012-02-08. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table-Tableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=51&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48&CMA=0. Retrieved 2012-02-08. 
  3. ^ "Contact Directory". Clearwater County. http://clearwatercounty.ca/page.jsp?pid=137. Retrieved 2012-05-21. 
  4. ^ Alberta Municipal Affairs (2009-09-15). "Alberta 2009 Official Population List". http://municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/documents/LGS/2009pop.pdf. Retrieved 2010-09-14. 
  5. ^ Statistics Canada (Census 2006). "Rocky Mountain House - Community Profile". http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4809015&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=Rocky%20Mountain%20House&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=&GeoCode=4809015. Retrieved 2007-06-12. 
  6. ^ a b "Rocky Mountain House (Alberta First Community Profile)". Alberta First. http://www.albertafirst.com/profiles/statspack/20459.html. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  7. ^ "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. April 27, 2012. http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/mc_municipal_officials_search.cfm. Retrieved April 27, 2012. 
  8. ^ Environment Canada - Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 4 December 2010

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