High Level
| High Level | ||
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| Town | ||
| Town of High Level | ||
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| Motto: Gateway to the South | ||
 High Level
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| Coordinates: 58°31′08″N 117°07′11″W / 58.51889°N 117.11972°WCoordinates: 58°31′08″N 117°07′11″W / 58.51889°N 117.11972°W | ||
| Country |  Canada |
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| Province |  Alberta |
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| Region | Northern Alberta | |
| Census division | 17 | |
| Specialized municipality | Mackenzie County | |
| Settled | 1947 | |
| Town | 1965 | |
| Government[1] | ||
| • Mayor | Crystal McAteer | |
| • Governing body | High Level Town Council | |
| • MP | Chris Warkentin (Peace River-Conservative) | |
| • MLA | Debbie Jabbour (Peace River-NDP) | |
| Area (2011)[2] | ||
| • Total | 31.99 km2 (12.35 sq mi) | |
| Elevation[3] | 320 m (1,050 ft) | |
| Population (2011)[2] | ||
| • Total | 3,641 | |
| • Density | 113.8/km2 (295/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) | |
| Postal code span | T0H 1Z0 | |
| Area code(s) | +1-780 | |
| Website | Official website | |
High Level is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located at the intersection of the Mackenzie Highway (Highway 35) and Highway 58, approximately 733 kilometres (455 mi) north of Edmonton and 725 kilometres (450 mi) south of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. It is located within Mackenzie County and was founded in 1947.
Contents
History[edit]
The name High Level originated from the height of the land that separates the Peace and the Hay Rivers. The original location was approximately 3.5 miles north of the present spot and along the old Fort Vermilion/Meander River freighting trail, serving as a stopping place, not a town. The original High Level Sports Grounds were at this location and the old trail was still visible there in the mid 1960s. The High Level Golf & Country Club currently occupies this approximate location. For many years, High Level was known as Tloc Moi (Hay Meadow).[4] The first fur traders arrived in this area in 1786, but it was not until 1947 that High Level was settled, with development of road access to Fort Vermilion being the primary factor in determining the town's present location. High Level's first power plant was established in 1957, and a year later the first post office was built. The oil fields were discovered in the 1960s, and a railway was run to the area in 1963.[4]
Geography[edit]
High Level marks the northern extent of the Peace River Country, and has one of the northernmost lands suited for agriculture in Canada. It is surrounded to the north and west by muskeg tundra.[citation needed]
Climate[edit]
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High Level has a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc), with precipitation falling chiefly during the spring and summer, and wide temperature variations, rendering warm summers for the classification. The hottest recorded temperature, of 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) was on August 9, 1985, with the coldest recorded temperature -50.6 °C (-59.1 °F) on January 13, 1972. The name notwithstanding, this town lies at a low elevation for an Alberta community and the regional topography contributes to the extremes of temperature. In winter, very cold air often pools over the area. In summer, air masses originating from higher elevations warm by compression as they descend to High Level. Summer temperatures render High Level well within the vegetation zone, and winter average temperatures are less severe than further east in Canada even on lower latitudes.
| Climate data for High Level Airport (1981−2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | 11.4 | 14.2 | 16.4 | 29.8 | 33.8 | 35.0 | 39.8 | 36.4 | 32.2 | 26.2 | 13.4 | 13.7 | 39.8 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 11.3 (52.3) |
14.6 (58.3) |
17.4 (63.3) |
30.2 (86.4) |
33.9 (93) |
31.5 (88.7) |
34.4 (93.9) |
35.2 (95.4) |
30.2 (86.4) |
25.2 (77.4) |
15.0 (59) |
14.2 (57.6) |
35.2 (95.4) |
| Average high °C (°F) | −15.0 (5) |
−10.4 (13.3) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
8.7 (47.7) |
16.2 (61.2) |
21.3 (70.3) |
23.0 (73.4) |
21.1 (70) |
14.8 (58.6) |
5.3 (41.5) |
−7.7 (18.1) |
−12.8 (9) |
5.2 (41.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −20.4 (−4.7) |
−16.9 (1.6) |
−9.4 (15.1) |
2.0 (35.6) |
9.1 (48.4) |
14.3 (57.7) |
16.5 (61.7) |
14.4 (57.9) |
8.4 (47.1) |
0.4 (32.7) |
−12.3 (9.9) |
−18.2 (−0.8) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −25.8 (−14.4) |
−23.3 (−9.9) |
−16.4 (2.5) |
−4.7 (23.5) |
2.0 (35.6) |
7.3 (45.1) |
9.9 (49.8) |
7.6 (45.7) |
1.9 (35.4) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
−16.8 (1.8) |
−23.5 (−10.3) |
−7.2 (19) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −50.6 (−59.1) |
−46.1 (−51) |
−45.0 (−49) |
−32.2 (−26) |
−13.7 (7.3) |
−3.6 (25.5) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−13.9 (7) |
−36.3 (−33.3) |
−43.4 (−46.1) |
−47.2 (−53) |
−50.6 (−59.1) |
| Record low wind chill | −57.1 | −51.1 | −50.3 | −35.8 | −22.1 | −3.8 | 0.0 | −6.1 | −17.5 | −32.9 | −53.0 | −54.5 | −57.1 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 19.5 (0.768) |
17.5 (0.689) |
18.2 (0.717) |
14.7 (0.579) |
35.8 (1.409) |
51.3 (2.02) |
66.2 (2.606) |
43.3 (1.705) |
31.6 (1.244) |
30.6 (1.205) |
24.5 (0.965) |
18.8 (0.74) |
372.1 (14.65) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.67 (0.0264) |
0.43 (0.0169) |
1.2 (0.047) |
7.9 (0.311) |
30.2 (1.189) |
51.3 (2.02) |
66.2 (2.606) |
43.2 (1.701) |
28.8 (1.134) |
13.4 (0.528) |
1.2 (0.047) |
0.52 (0.0205) |
245.0 (9.646) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 24.1 (9.49) |
21.1 (8.31) |
21.5 (8.46) |
7.6 (2.99) |
6.1 (2.4) |
0.01 (0.004) |
0.0 (0) |
0.09 (0.035) |
2.6 (1.02) |
18.6 (7.32) |
28.8 (11.34) |
23.7 (9.33) |
154.2 (60.71) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 12.0 | 10.2 | 8.0 | 5.5 | 9.4 | 11.2 | 13.0 | 11.7 | 10.1 | 9.7 | 12.2 | 11.0 | 124.0 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.52 | 0.42 | 0.48 | 3.0 | 8.8 | 11.2 | 13.0 | 11.7 | 9.6 | 4.9 | 1.2 | 0.72 | 65.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 12.0 | 10.6 | 8.2 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 0.04 | 0.0 | 0.07 | 0.81 | 6.0 | 12.4 | 11.5 | 66.4 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 52.6 | 96.2 | 178.5 | 239.4 | 280.1 | 298.2 | 295.2 | 264.4 | 168.0 | 101.3 | 46.0 | 35.3 | 2,055.1 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 23.8 | 36.8 | 48.9 | 55.4 | 53.7 | 54.5 | 54.1 | 55.3 | 43.5 | 31.7 | 19.5 | 17.7 | 41.2 |
| Source: Environment Canada[5] | |||||||||||||
Wildlife[edit]
High Level has a variety of wildlife, including wolves, coyotes, ravens, and many types of insects. Hunters can find moose, deer, bear and geese. There are over 150 species of birds known to nest in the area.[4]
Demographics[edit]
The population of the Town of High Level according to its 2015 municipal census is 3,823,[6] a −0.7% change from its 2004 municipal census population of 3,849.[7]
In the 2011 Census, the Town of High Level had a population of 3,641 living in 1,272 of its 1,463 total dwellings, a -6.3% change from its 2006 population of 3,887. With a land area of 31.99 km2 (12.35 sq mi), it had a population density of 113.8/km2 (294.8/sq mi) in 2011.[2] Of its population in 2011, 50.3% (1,830) were male and 49.7% (1,810) were female.[8]
According to the 2006 census, High Level had a:
- population of 3,887 living in 1,519 dwellings, a 12.9% increase from 2001;
- land area of 31.99 km2 (12.35 sq mi); and
- population density of 131.3/km2 (340/sq mi).[9]
Economy[edit]
The area surrounding High Level is known for its oil reserves and forests. Two large oil and gas fields, Rainbow Lake and Zama, are located west of the town, which provides services to the oil patch. One OSB mill (which closed in 2007, and reopened in 2015 after the merger of Ainsworth and Norbord) is located south of High Level and a dimensional lumber mill is located in the town's industrial area. The mill is estimated to be reopened this fall, work is underway revamping the mill and preparing for a milling season this winter.
Government[edit]
The town has a council consisting of a mayor (Crystal McAteer) and six councillors (Scott Chandler, Ellis Forest, Chris MacLeod, Stephanie Milton, Michael Morgan, and Jacy Rapke).[1]
Infrastructure[edit]
Both airplane and helicopter services are available in High Level. Due to the 'remote' or northern location, medevac and chartered services, provided by Nor-Alta Aviation, Gemini Helicopters and Delta Helicopters, are offered to serve the surrounding communities.
Scheduled airline service is offered by both Central Mountain Air and Northwestern Air Lease; direct flights to Edmonton, Calgary, Lloydminster, Rainbow Lake, Hay River and Fort Smith are offered daily except Saturdays.
Medevac and air charter company Airborne Energy Solutions provides fixed-wing and rotary services internationally.
Telephone service is provided by the incumbent carrier Telus as well as Northwestel.
Regional businesses are represented by the High Level & District Chamber of Commerce
Education[edit]
High Level has three public schools and one private school.
- High Level Public School was the first school built in High Level and had all grades, K-12, until Florence MacDougall Community School opened. It now goes from grade 7-12.
- Spirit of the North Community School is the newest school in High Level and opened in 2000; it houses grades 4-6.
- Florence MacDougall Community School goes from kindergarten through third grade.
- High Level Christian Academy goes from kindergarten through grade 9, after which students transfer to High Level Public School.
Media[edit]
The local radio station is CKHL-FM 102.1, part of the YL Country network of stations based at CKYL in Peace River. In addition, two radio services have repeaters: CBXL 99.5 FM, carrying CBC Radio One as a repeater of CBX Edmonton, and CFKX-FM 106.1, repeating CKKX-FM from Peace River. The local newspaper is The Echo.
Television is available by way of locally-owned low-powered analogue repeaters of CITV-DT Edmonton (CH2807 channel 10) and CHAN-DT Vancouver (CH2808 channel 12),[10] both owned by the High Level Community Hall Society.[11][12]
The cable television system, in operation for 25 years as High Level Cable, was purchased in August 2006 by Northwestel Cable. Both analog and digital formats are available for television service. High-speed Internet service is also available from Northwestel.
See also[edit]
- List of communities in Alberta
- List of towns in Alberta
- High Level Airport
- Tom Clancy's Endwar (Berkley Books 2008): High Level is the site of a major battle between American and Russian forces in this novel about WWIII in which Russia invades Canada for the purpose of acquiring additional sources of oil.
- High Level & District Chamber of Commerce
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. June 17, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 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)" (PDF) (PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229). Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ a b c High Level's History
- ^ "High Level Airport, Alberta". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment Canada. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
- ^ "Results are in for Town of High Level Municipal Census". YL Country. July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
- ^ "2006 Official Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. February 5, 2007. ISBN 0-7785-4994-1. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
- ^ "Census profile: High Level, T, Alberta (census subdivision)". Statistics Canada. April 28, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ^ Statistics Canada. "Canada 2006 Census: High Level - Community Profile". Retrieved 2007-06-11.
- ^ w9wi.com: TV stations in Alberta
- ^ REC Broadcast Query: CH2807
- ^ REC Broadcast Query: CH2808
External links[edit]
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Zama City | Hay River, NWT | Wood Buffalo National Park | |
| Rainbow Lake |  |
Fort Vermilion | ||
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| Chinchaga Wildland Park | Manning | La Crete |
