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High Prairie
Town
Town of High Prairie
Motto(s): 
Gateway to the Peace Country
Location in Big Lakes County
Location in Big Lakes County
High Prairie is located in Alberta
High Prairie
High Prairie
Location in Alberta
High Prairie is located in Canada
High Prairie
High Prairie
Location in Canada
Country Canada
Province Alberta
Region Northern Alberta
Planning region Upper Athabasca
Municipal district Big Lakes County
Incorporated  
 • Village April 6, 1945
 • Town January 10, 1950
Area
 (2021)
 • Land 7.01 km2 (2.71 sq mi)
Elevation
595 m (1,952 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total 2,380
 • Density 339.5/km2 (879/sq mi)
Time zone UTC−07:00 (MST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−06:00 (MDT)
Postal code span
T0G 1E0
Area code(s) 780, 587, 825
Highways Highway 2
Highway 749

High Prairie is a town in northern Alberta, Canada within Big Lakes County. It is located at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 749, approximately 89 km (55 mi) northeast of Valleyview and 118 km (73 mi) west of Slave Lake.

History

High Prairie's first post office opened in 1910. In 1914, the alignment of the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway, later known as the Northern Alberta Railway, was chosen to go through High Prairie instead of Grouard to the northeast. As a result, many residents and businesses from Grouard relocated to High Prairie once the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway was built.

With an estimated population of 600 people, High Prairie was incorporated as a village on April 6, 1945 and subsequently as a town on January 10, 1950.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High Prairie recorded a population of &&&&&&&&&&&02380.&&&&&02,380 living in &&&&&&&&&&&&0941.&&&&&0941 of its &&&&&&&&&&&01119.&&&&&01,119 total private dwellings, a change of -7.2% from its 2016 population of &&&&&&&&&&&02564.&&&&&02,564. With a land area of 7.01 km2 (2.71 sq mi), it had a population density of 339.5/km2 (879/sq mi) in 2021.

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High Prairie recorded a population of 2,564 living in 949 of its 1,116 total private dwellings, a -1.4% change from its 2011 population of 2,600. With a land area of 7.22 km2 (2.79 sq mi), it had a population density of 355.1/km2 (920/sq mi) in 2016.

Attractions

Due to its proximity to the western shores of Lesser Slave Lake, High Prairie has a thriving tourism industry, particularly in the warmer summer months. There are many attractions at the lake, including events such as the Golden Walleye Classic.

Winagami Lake Provincial Park, approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) to the north of High Prairie, and Kimiwan Lake, approximately 49 kilometres (30 mi) to the northwest, are attractions for bird-watching enthusiasts. Winagami Lake and Kimiwan Lake are within the general area where three major migration paths meet – the Central Flyway, the Mississippi Flyway, and the Pacific Flyway.

Recognition

In 2001, High Prairie was recognized for its state-of-the-art water treatment system and it was awarded 4 'blooms' by Communities in Bloom, a non-profit organization that encourages environmental responsibility and beautification in Canadian communities.

Economy

High Prairie's main industries include agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, and service industry.

One of its main employers is the Tolko OSB Mill that was built in 1994, the plant was closed in 2008 due to the economic downturn. In 2018 the mill was reopened and now employs 174 people. West Fraser Mills purchased the Buchanan lumber mill in 2014 and is another main employer for High Prairie with 150 employees.

Notable people

  • Tom Lysiak, former professional hockey player
  • Randy Ragan, former professional soccer player
  • Larry Shaben, Canada's first Muslim Cabinet Minister
  • Cheyanne Turions, curator, artist, writer
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