Kakwa River
{{more citations needed|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Kakwa River
| image =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = Canada
| source1_location = Kakwa Lake, Kakwa Provincial Park
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|54.03462|-120.14526|region:CA-BC|name=Kakwa Lake}}
| mouth_location = Smoky River
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|54.61372|-118.45993|region:CA-AB|name=Smoky River|display=inline,title}}
| length =
| source1_elevation = {{convert|1495|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|670|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_avg =
| basin_size =
}}
The Kakwa River is a tributary of the Smoky River in western Alberta, Canada.
The river is named for Kakwa, the Cree word for porcupine.{{Cite web|url=http://cpawsnab.org/campaigns/NewAreas/the-rocky-mountain-foothills/endangered-forests-1/kakwa|title=Kakwa|author=Canadian parks and wilderness Society|accessdate=2010-09-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725200812/http://cpawsnab.org/campaigns/NewAreas/the-rocky-mountain-foothills/endangered-forests-1/kakwa|archive-date=2011-07-25|url-status=dead}} Porcupines are abundant in Kakwa Provincial Park and Protected Area.
Tourism along the river revolves around bull trout fishing and white water rafting. Kakwa Falls ({{coord|54.10913|-119.92350|type:waterbody_region:CA-AB|name=Kakwa Falls}}) are developed in the course of the river, over a {{convert|30|m|ft|adj=on}} high ledge formed by an outcrop of the Cadomin Formation.{{Cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abnature/foothills/featured_kakwa_falls.htm|title=Kakewa Falls|author=Alberta Heritage|accessdate=2008-10-12}} The area was designated a protected wildland (Kakwa Wildland Park).{{Cite web|url=http://gateway.cd.gov.ab.ca/siteinformation.aspx?id=63|title=Kakwa Wildland Park|author=Alberta Parks|authorlink=Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation|accessdate=2008-10-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813002318/http://gateway.cd.gov.ab.ca/siteinformation.aspx?id=63|archive-date=2009-08-13|url-status=dead}} It can be accessed through the forestry road network south of Highway 666, approximately {{convert|35|km|mi}} south of Two Lakes Provincial Park.
Course
The Kakwa River originates in Kakwa Lake, north of McBride, in British Columbia, at an elevation of {{convert|1495|m|ft}}. The surrounding area is protected by Kakwa Provincial Park and Protected Area.{{Cite web|url=http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/kakwa/|title=Kakwa Provincial Park and Protected Area|author=BC Parks|accessdate=2008-10-12}} The river flows north-east into the province of Alberta in Kakwa Wildlands Park, then flows east and north-east through the foothills. It is crossed by the Bighorn Highway before it converges into the Smoky River, at an elevation of {{convert|670|m|ft}}.
Tributaries
From its origins to its mouth, Kakwa River receives waters from:
- Kakwa Lake
- Cecilia Creek
- Mouse Cache Creek
- Musreau Creek
- Francis Peak Creek
- South Kakwa River
- Lynx Creek
- Ravine Creek
- Chicken Creek
- Daniel Creek
- Copton Creek
- Redrock Creek
- Route Creek
- Prairie Creek