Site Descriptions - Boreal Forest Natural Region

Level 1 Natural History Theme Targets | Progress on Level 1 Targets

* Denotes a protected area established or expanded as part of the Special Places program

Peace River Lowlands Sub-region
Much of this sub-region, including the internationally significant Peace Athabasca Delta, is within Wood Buffalo National Park. All level 1 natural history theme targets have been achieved in Wood Buffalo National Park and there are no provincial parks or protected areas within this sub-region.

Wetland Mixedwood Sub-region
This sub-region is well represented within the parks and protected areas network. All level 1 natural history theme preservation targets have been achieved.

Hay-Zama Lakes Wildland Park * (486 km²) is a series of eutrophic lakes, floodplains and deltas. Due to its importance for migrating waterfowl, Hay-Zama is also a RAMSAR site (a wetland of international significance). During the fall migration, 130,000 lesser snow geese, 47,000 Canada geese and 200,000 ducks have been recorded in the area. An agreement between the Dene Tha' First Nation, environmental groups, the petroleum industry and the Alberta Government will see the area's oil reserves depleted and wells reclaimed over the next few years. The park is located approximately 100 km west of High Level.
• RAMSAR Web Site

Provincial Recreation Areas

Central Mixedwood Sub-region
There is excellent representation of all 11 of the level 1 natural history themes that define the environmental diversity of the Central Mixedwood Sub-region. All 48 level 2 themes are similarly well represented within the parks and protected areas network.

Bear Lake Natural Area (93.8 ha) contains undisturbed mixed forests and forested peat lands.

Calling Lake Provincial Park (7.38 km²) provides camping facilities and access to a sandy beach. It is located north of the Town of Athabasca.

Centre of Alberta Natural Area * (3.25 km²), as the name implies, is located near the geographical centre of the province roughly 25 km northwest of Fort Assiniboine. The area includes mixedwood forests along Clearwater Creek.

Clear Lake Natural Area (93.5 ha) includes upland forests of aspen, birch and balsam poplar, and depressional areas containing black spruce, tamarack and bog birch.

Cold Lake Provincial Park * (58.56 km²) contains diverse marsh, swamp and shrub communities along the south shore of Cold Lake that provide habitat for numerous bird species. The largest western grebe colony in Alberta nests in this area. Cold Lake's north shore has some of the finest sand beaches in the province. Spruce and pine forests in the Martineau River valley provide habitat for ungulates and furbearers.

Cross Lake Provincial Park (20.76 km²) includes most of the forest communities common to this sub-region. Park trails provide access to many of these communities.

Crow Lake Provincial Park * (7.9 km²), located northwest of Lac La Biche, preserves Crow Lake and the valley slopes adjacent to Crow Lake Ecological Reserve (9.4 km²). The steep valley sides are forested with mixed stands of white spruce, aspen and some balsam fir. A forest fire swept through the park in 2002. Bald eagle nests have been found along the shores of the lake.

Fort Assiniboine Sandhills Wildland Park * (79.03 km²), located along the Athabasca River west of Barrhead, contains two distinct environments: upland dunes and riverine forests. The upland dunes include jack pine lichen forests with numerous intervening fens. The fens represent a diversity of types, including open water, sedge fens in various stages of succession, and those dominated by larch. The riverine communities consist of a series of meander scars with a variety of forest types, including white spruce, balsam poplar and aspen poplar in various mixtures. Intervening oxbows vary from open water through bog birch-Labrador tea communities, to those dominated by black spruce and larch in either pure or mixed stands. The forests harbour species such as pileated woodpeckers, various wood warblers and flying squirrels that favour old growth; sandhill cranes nest in the fens.

Gipsy Lake Wildland Park * (357.66 km²) preserves a lake and wetland complex southeast of Fort McMurray. White pelicans and double crested cormorants nest on the island in Birch Lake.

Grand Rapids Wildland Park * (257 km²) preserves the nationally significant Rapids Reach of the Athabasca River upstream from Ft. McMurray. The river valley is an important biological corridor for a variety of fish and wildlife species. Forested valley slopes are critical moose wintering range. Important fish species in this stretch of the river include walleye, lake whitefish, mountain whitefish, Arctic grayling, pike and goldeye. The Rapids Reach is the most scenic stretch of the Athabasca River outside of the Rocky Mountains, with numerous rapids, rock outcrops and slump blocks. The river is deeply incised for the entire length of the park, in places exceeding 150 metres. Incised meanders that have eroded into the bedrock are a significant feature of the park.

Gregoire Lake Provincial Park (6.96 km²), located south of Fort McMurray, provides camping facilities and access to a sandy beach.

Harper Creek Natural Area * (26.20 km²), located east of Fort Vermilion, contains a fascinating landscape of limestone caves, sulphur springs and pools, oxbow lakes and rapids along Harper Creek.

Hilliard's Bay Provincial Park (23.24 km²) is a nesting area for great horned and great grey owls.

Holmes Crossing Sandhills Ecological Reserve * (19.83 km²) preserves some of the highest transverse dunes in Canada. The dunes are stabilized with jack pine lichen forests. The reserve also contains a number of small lakes.

Hondo (3.89 km²), Otauwau (2.56 km²) and Salteau (2.58 km²) natural areas, were selected as research and study sites for the University of Alberta. Collectively, these sites represent a diversity of forest communities within easy access of Highway 2.

Hubert Lake Wildland Park * (96.65 km²), located along the Athabasca River west of Flatbush, consists of a sand dune complex, wetlands and numerous small lakes. Jack pine is the dominant tree species on the dunes, while intervening depressions support black spruce and larch, with open fens in wetter areas. A large colony of great blue heron nests in the park, as do sandhill cranes. A small caribou herd wanders in and out of the park.

La Saline Natural Area (2.92 km²) preserves an oxbow along the Athabasca River north of Fort McMurray. There are a number of springs in the area with tufa cones and various mineral deposits and crystal formations. The area's salt licks attract ungulates and the lake is the most productive in the region for waterfowl.

Lakeland Provincial Park (147 km²) and Lakeland Provincial Recreation Area (443 km²) preserve some of the highest-quality lakes, beaches and shorelines in Alberta. The full range of forest communities of the Central Mixedwood Sub-region, including old growth spruce-fir stands, are found in the park and recreation area. Lakeland is home to more than 200 bird species and is noted for its wood warblers.

Marguerite River Wildland Park * (1963 km²), located along the Saskatchewan border northeast of Fort McMurray, contains landscapes not found in any of Alberta's other parks and protected areas. The north end of the park is dominated by a dissected kame. This extremely rugged landscape has local relief in excess of 200 metres. The Marguerite and Richardson rivers, flowing from the kame area, have developed the best examples of braided stream valley in the Boreal Forest Natural Region. A spectacular esker, with local relief in excess of 65 metres, marks the south end of the park. The landscape between these two features includes a drumlin field and glacial flutings. The Snuff/Otter Lakes area represents some of the most pristine organic wetlands in the Boreal Forest. Included within the park is a unique crag and tail landscape consisting of granite crags with glacially deposited gravel tails on the lee side. The crag and tail landscape is part of the Canadian Shield Natural Region. Rock polypody, a rare fern, has been found in the crag and tail area. Grizzly bear have been sighted in the park.

Moonshine Lake Provincial Park * (11 km²), located west of Spirit River, was expanded in 1998. The expansion linked the park with Jack Bird Recreation Area, a parcel of land that was donated to the province by the estate of Mr. Jack Bird in 1978; the expansion incorporates a wildlife movement corridor between the two sites and adds a small wetland complex containing a number of beaver ponds. The abundance of waterfowl and birds makes Jack Bird Pond an excellent bird watching site.

Otter-Orloff Lakes Wildland Park * (69.48 km²) preserves the ecological integrity of two lakes, several wetlands, aquatic habitats and forests. The lakes, located northwest of Calling Lake, support populations of walleye, pike, perch, lake whitefish and tullibee. The lakes are important for beaver and muskrat and are key waterfowl habitat for production, staging and molting. There is a great blue heron colony on Orloff Lake. Uplands adjacent to the lakes support a variety of mixed forests. The area's younger forests are a mix of white spruce and aspen. Black spruce and larch occur in wetter areas. Mature forests contain more birch and balsam poplar. White spruce and balsam fir dominate old growth stands. The old growth forest floor is carpeted with feather moss, and the trees are draped with arboreal lichens. These forests are excellent habitat for moose and furbearers such as weasel, squirrel and lynx. A large active delta on Otter Lake's north shore, created by a stream from the Pelican Mountains, is a significant riparian feature of the park.

Spruce Island Lake Natural Area (6.48 km²) consists of gently rolling terrain around Spruce Island and Horseshoe lakes. The area contains numerous smaller water bodies and wetlands as well.

Sturgeon Lake Natural Area (28 ha), an island in Sturgeon Lake, is used by great blue heron and bald eagles.

Vega Natural Area * (1.8 km²), located immediately across the river from Fort Assiniboine Sandhills Wildland Park, includes 80 ha of balsam and aspen poplar riverine forest. The area is very popular with birders.

Whitemud Falls Wildland Park * (38.4 km²) surrounds Whitemud Falls Ecological Reserve (8.6 km²) and abuts Saskatchewan's Clearwater River Provincial Park. The park and ecological reserve occupy a stretch of the steep sided and deeply incised Clearwater River valley, where the river has eroded into the underlying Devonian limestone and dolomites. Erosion associated with the steep gradient in the vicinity of the falls has created a variety of karst features such as stacks (or "flowerpots"), gullies, fissures and caves. Cold mineral springs with high salt content supply water to wetlands east of the falls. More than 20 rare, uncommon and disjunctive plant species have been recorded within the karst habitats of this area.

Williamson Provincial Park (17.35 ha) provides camping facilities, a boat launch and access to a sandy beach on the south shore of Sturgeon Lake.

Young's Point Provincial Park * (30.72 km²), located west of Valleyview, contains a variety of forest types and includes wetlands adjacent to Sturgeon Lake.

Other Natural Area
Murray Island

Other Provincial Recreation Areas

Dry Mixedwood Sub-region
The Dry Mixedwood Sub-region is the only Boreal Forest sub-region that does not have excellent representation within Alberta's parks and protected areas network. There are still significant shortfalls in the glacial lakebed, ground moraine, sand plain and sand dune natural history themes.

Bellis North Natural Area * (10.89 km²), located 16 km east of Smoky Lake, is a jack pine-dominated sand dune landscape; it contains numerous ponds and wetlands. A forest fire went through Bellis North Natural Area in the spring of 2002; approximately 40% of the site was untouched by the fire.

Black Fox Island Natural Area * (13 ha) played an important role in Alberta's history. This island in Lac La Biche was a refuge for the Grey Nuns and the children they cared for during the Riel Rebellion; it also served as a fishing camp. The island contains two prehistoric pottery sites with artifacts dating to 1520.

Bridge Lake Natural Area * (1.2 km²), located 10 km northeast of Clyde, features jack pine and aspen-vegetated sand hills and sedge meadows.

Child Lake Meadows Natural Area * (3.9 km²), located southeast of High Level, features northern salt meadows that support interesting plant communities and uncommon plants.

Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area (97 km²) is an area of aspen-dominated hummocky moraine with numerous small kettle lakes and ponds. It is located just south of Elk Island National Park. Roughly half the area is pasture; the remainder of the area is in a natural state.

Edgar T. Jones Natural Area * (92 ha), donated to the province by the Jones family, preserves undisturbed upland habitat on the shores of Hastings Lake. It is located approximately 35 km southeast of Sherwood Park.

Garner Lake Provincial Park (73.99 ha) provides overnight camping facilities and beach access.

Genesee Natural Area (1.79 km²) protects a site along the North Saskatchewan River that contains some of the world's best-preserved Late Upper Cretaceous plant fossils.

Greene Valley Provincial Park * (31.31 km²) preserves the deeply incised valley of the Heart River southeast of the Town of Peace River. Long protected as a wildlife sanctuary, the valley provides habitat for black bear, mule deer, white-tailed deer and other wildlife in a largely agricultural landscape.

Hastings Lake Islands Natural Area * (3.9 ha), located 35 km southeast of Sherwood Park, preserves three small islands in Hastings Lake. The islands serve as bird nesting and loafing areas.

High Island Natural Area * (6.9 ha), a flat-topped island in Lac La Biche, features grasslands and scattered shrub lands. The island serves as a loafing area for white pelicans.

Jarvis Bay Provincial Park (85.84 ha) is a camping area on the east end of Sylvan Lake.

La Biche River Wildland Park * (173.14 km²), located northeast of the Town of Athabasca, represents many of the forest communities found in the Dry Mixedwood Sub-region. Sand dunes near the Athabasca River support forests of jack pine interspersed with aspen, white spruce and paper birch. Well-drained uplands overlying clay-rich glacial till are forested with aspen and white spruce, with frequent mixed stands. On moister sites, particularly along the river, forests include balsam poplar, balsam fir, white spruce, aspen and paper birch. Poorly drained organic wetlands support communities of black spruce and larch. Bog birch and willows dominate in the wettest areas. Understory shrubs, forbs, grasses and mosses are similarly diverse.

Lesser Slave Lake Wildland Park * (35.82 km²) is located on the north shore of Lesser Slave Lake. The park contains important fish spawning and rearing habitat, key waterfowl staging and production areas, critical moose winter range, and bald eagle and osprey nesting areas.

Long Lake Provincial Park (7.69 km²) is covered in boreal mixedwood forest. The park's campground offers a variety of sheltered and open campsites.

Moose Lake Provincial Park (7.35 km²) occupies an area of sandy outwash on the north shore of Moose Lake. Forests of jack pine, aspen and white birch cover most of the park, although there are a few open areas and small black spruce and tamarack bogs. Nearly 100 bird species and more than 200 species of vascular plants have been recorded in the park.

Newton Lake Natural Area * (34 ha) protects a rolling aspen forest southeast of Barrhead.

Noel Lake Natural Area * (2.67 km²) contains Noel Lake, adjacent sedge wetlands and patches of old growth forest. It is located 20 km west of Fort Assiniboine.

Notikewin Provincial Park (96.97 km²) is situated at the confluence of the Peace and Notikewin rivers. The park provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

O'Brien Provincial Park (65.22 ha) is located on the banks of the Wapiti River.

Peace River Wildland Park * (253.34 km²) preserves the south bank of the Peace River from Dunvegan to the Town of Peace River. Included in the park is approximately 30 km of the Smoky River valley upstream of its junction with the Peace River. Most of the park is forested with aspen and some spruce. The Smoky-Peace Point area includes grassland and shrub land communities typical of the Peace River Parkland. Deer, elk, black bear and wolf frequent the area.

Pembina River Provincial Park (1.67 km²) contains the towering Pembina River gorge. The gorge, created by melt waters from the retreat of glaciers during the Wisconsin Age, has cliffs up to 62 metres in height.

Pigeon Lake Provincial Park (4.43 km²) provides excellent bird watching opportunities. The lake is one of Alberta's most popular destinations for boating, water skiing and swimming

Poachers' Landing Provincial Recreation Area * (17.50 km²) includes mixedwood forests on the south bank of the Athabasca River east of the Town of Athabasca.

Queen Elizabeth Provincial Park (85.57 ha) is an outdoor recreation site that provides camping facilities and limited beach opportunities.

Red Lodge Provincial Park (1.29 km²) is located along the Little Red Deer River.

Sand Lake Natural Area * (28.44 km²), located 15 km northwest of Fairview, contains open pine stands, black spruce-tamarack wetlands, aspen woods and willow shrub land.

Saskatoon Mountain Natural Area * (7.15 km²) near Beaverlodge features a 70-metre-high hill with both steep and gradual slopes. Diverse forests of aspen, balsam poplar, white spruce and birch are interspersed with wetlands and small sloughs.

Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park (2.39 km²) is located on an island accessed by a 2.5 km-long causeway. The park's campsites are nestled among old-growth mixedwood forests. The area is renowned for bird watching and is the site of a cormorant nesting colony.

Sylvan Lake Provincial Park (85.29 ha) is a day use beach and picnic area within the Town of Sylvan Lake.

Thunder Lake Provincial Park (2.08 km²) is popular with boaters, water skiers, swimmers and campers.

Upper Mann Lake Natural Area * (1.62 km²), located 32 km northwest of St. Paul, includes a variety of riparian habitats on the islands and peninsulas of Upper Mann Lake.

Wabamun Lake Provincial Park (2.31 km²) is an outdoor recreation site that provides camping facilities and beach access. The park's rolling landscape is typical of glaciated terrain.

Whitney Lakes Provincial Park (14.89 km²) is a spectacular landscape of eskers and kettle lakes, wetlands and sand dunes. Plant and animal species common to both the Boreal Forest and Parkland natural regions are found in the park. An extensive trail system links Ross, Whitney, Laurier and Borden lakes and provides easy access to a variety of landscapes and habitats.

Winagami Lake Provincial Park * (65.42 km²), located north of High Prairie, includes the lake, south and west shore lands and a number of small islands. The mixed forests and wetlands of the park attract many species of birds, with over 150 different species recorded. Wood warblers are particularly abundant, with 15 species known to nest in the park. The lake is a major staging area for migrating waterfowl. Colonies of both western grebe and Franklin's gull nest on the lake.

Winagami Wildland Park * (126.67 km²) preserves lands to the north and south of Winagami Lake Provincial Park. The southern part of the park includes a stretch of the South Heart River valley and associated riparian areas that serve as a wildlife movement corridor. There is a garter snake hibernacula in the valley. A jack pine-dominated sand dune/outwash complex adds diversity to Winagami Lake Provincial Park and Winagami Wildland Park. The northern part of Winagami Wildland Park consists of lands around the dams and diversion of the South Heart River. Great blue heron and bald eagles nest in large trees along the shoreline, while white pelicans forage on water bodies. A representative part of the McLennan sloping fen, a special feature, is preserved within the park. This non-patterned fen, without internal lawns, is comprised mainly of sphagnum peat and is dominated by a continuous cover of vegetation. Small, more or less circular mounds of glaciolacustrine materials are scattered throughout the wetlands, a feature not common to fens.

Other Natural Areas

Other Provincial Recreation Areas

Boreal Highlands Sub-region
There is excellent representation of all of the landscapes of the Boreal Highlands Sub-region within Alberta's parks and protected areas network.

Birch Mountains Wildland Park * (1,445.05 km²) represents much of the diversity of the Boreal Highlands Sub-region. Included are a number of large lakes that support populations of lake trout, lake whitefish, cisco, Arctic grayling, northern pike, walleye and yellow perch. Islands in the lakes are important white pelican nesting areas. Osprey and bald eagles frequently nest in the larger trees around the lakes. The park is located approximately 100 km northwest of Fort McMurray.

Maqua Lake Provincial Recreation Area (1.1 km²), located south of Gregoire Lake Provincial Park, is near the edge of the Boreal Highlands Sub-region. It provides the only automobile access to this sub-region within the parks and protected areas network. The landscape is similar to that found in Stony Mountain Wildland Park. A number of rare plants have been recorded at Maqua Lake.

Stony Mountain Wildland Park * (139.07 km²) preserves excellent examples of patterned and non-patterned fens. The park includes part of the range of a small caribou herd. Six provincially rare plants have been identified in the vicinity.

Sub-arctic Sub-region
All of the landscapes that define the Sub-arctic Sub-region have excellent representation within Caribou Mountains Wildland Park.

Caribou Mountains Wildland Park * (5,910.08 km²) is located adjacent to Wood Buffalo National Park north of Fort Vermillion. A rich bird environment, the Caribou Mountains provide habitat for species found much further north, including gray-cheeked thrush, red-necked phalarope, red-throated loon, American tree sparrow, mew gull, pacific loon and surf scoter. The park includes about 80% of the range of an important population of woodland caribou, a threatened species in Alberta. A population of up to 120 wood bison, an endangered species, lives in the Wentzel Lake area in small groups of up to 15 animals. It is believed that bison introduced polar reed grass to this area. Wetlands are an integral part of the Caribou Mountains. The peat plateau bog and northern ribbed fens are unique environments of provincial significance.

Additional Information
For information about facilities and services in the parks and protected areas listed above, visit the Gateway to Outdoor Adventure web site.

Parks and protected areas boundary maps, legal descriptions and ArcView data captures are available on the Land Reference Manual web site.

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For more information about Managing the Network, contact Archie Landals.