Snake Indian River
Encyclopedia
The Snake Indian River is a large tributary
of the Athabasca River
, exiting entirely within Jasper National Park
. The Snake Indian forms at Snake Indian Pass, south of Monte Christo Mountain and Snake Indian Mountain, north of Calumet Peak. The river
travels in a general northwest direction before turning sharply south. The river plummets over the massive Snake Indian Falls before joining the Athabasca River
downstream of Jasper Lake, near the east gate of Jasper National Park
.
The Snake Indian River, along with Snake Indian Mountain and Snake Indian Pass, were named after a small tribe of Indians
, the Snakes, which resided around Jasper House
in the 19th century. The Snakes were massacred by a band of Assiniboines at a peace feast between the two tribes.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Athabasca River
Athabasca River
The Athabasca River originates from the Columbia Glacier of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada...
, exiting entirely within Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, spanning 10,878 km² . It is located in the province of Alberta, north of Banff National Park and west of the City of Edmonton. The park includes the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and...
. The Snake Indian forms at Snake Indian Pass, south of Monte Christo Mountain and Snake Indian Mountain, north of Calumet Peak. The river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
travels in a general northwest direction before turning sharply south. The river plummets over the massive Snake Indian Falls before joining the Athabasca River
Athabasca River
The Athabasca River originates from the Columbia Glacier of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada...
downstream of Jasper Lake, near the east gate of Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, spanning 10,878 km² . It is located in the province of Alberta, north of Banff National Park and west of the City of Edmonton. The park includes the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and...
.
The Snake Indian River, along with Snake Indian Mountain and Snake Indian Pass, were named after a small tribe of Indians
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, the Snakes, which resided around Jasper House
Jasper House
Jasper House National Historic Site, in Jasper National Park, Alberta, is the site of a trading post on the Athabasca River that functioned in two different locations from 1813 to 1884 as a major staging and supply post for travel through the Canadian Rockies.The post was originally named Rocky...
in the 19th century. The Snakes were massacred by a band of Assiniboines at a peace feast between the two tribes.