North Saskatchewan River Museum

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*The North Saskatchewan River Museum and Archive™ Bibliography

The newly formed (March 2008) North Saskatchewan River Museum Society has just begun to collect virtual or hard copy items relevant to the North Saskatchewan River from the North Saskatchewan Glacier to the forks where North and South meet.

North Saskatchewan River References - August 2007

Editor Notes:

1. This site is being organized and this preliminary listing is simply the choices of the current developers. It is not necessarily comprehensive at this point, August 2007. If you have something to add, please let us know. E-mail on "contact" page

2. See also the links page for first rate archive search pages.

3. A major heritage river study was conducted by North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance. Its comprehensive reports are available at www.nswa.ab.ca , as at July 2007.

Ballantine, Archie. "Recollections and Reminiscences: Steamboating on the Saskatchewan." Saskatchewan
History [Canada] 1965 18(3): 99-114. In Smith, Dwight L. (1979). The American and Canadian West: A
Bibliography. Santa Barbara: American Bibliographic Centre, Clio Press. (Also University of Saskatchewan Library: Call # MAIN LIB-4TH FLR FC3501 .S27 1948)

Note: The author (1858-1942) worked as a watchman on the steamboat North West in the summer of 1885, and tells of his experiences on the route up and down the Saskatchewan River between Edmonton and Cumberland Lake. Included is material relevant to the Métis rebellion and the fight at Duck Lake. (Smith annotation)

Bell, Robert, Ed. (1903). Geological Survey of Canada: Reports and Maps of Investigations and Surveys. Annual Report (New Series), Volume XIII, Reports A, D, DD, F & FF, K, L, M & MM, R, S, 1900. Ottawa: S.E. Dawson, Printer.

Note: Includes a report on geological explorations in Athabaska, Saskatchewan and Keewatin Districts. Deals mostly with the Saskatchewan River east of The Forks.

Belliveau, Anne McMullen. (1999). Small Moments in Time: The Story of Alberta's Big West Country. Calgary: Detselig Enterprises.

Note: the publisher's commentary includes this:
"A lovingly detailed history of the North Saskatchewan River Corridor, Shunda Basin, Brazeau Collieries and Nordegg, from before the arrival of Europeans, through the fur trade and exploration years, to the discovery of coal and the development of the region to the present day."

Belyea, B., Ed. (1994.) Columbia Journals: David Thompson. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press.

Note: Includes account of trip up the North Saskatchewan in 1807, reproduction of maps.

Campbell, M.J. (1950). The Saskatchewan. Toronto: Clarke, Irwin & Company Ltd.

Note: This is a comprehensive history of the Saskatchewan River including the North branch. It contains and extensive bibliography.

City of Edmonton River Recreation Guide. (n.d.) Edmonton: City of Edmonton and Epcor. Map.

Note: In addition to the river map, includes information on water quality; boating code of conduct, law, and safety; fish species; and fishing regulations.

Coues, Elliott, Ed. (1897). New Light on the Early History of the Greater Northwest: The Manuscript Journals of Alexander Henry, Fur Trader of the Northwest Company, and David Thompson, Official Geographer and Explorer of the same Company. New York: Francis P. Harper.

Note: "Exploration and adventure among the Indians on the Red, Saskatchewan, Missouri, and Columbia Rivers." Three volumes.

Cruden, D.M., Rains, R.B., Thomson, S. (1998). The Valley Beneath Our Feet: an Earth Sciences Walk Across
Edmonton's River. Edmonton: Edmonton Geological Society.

Note: Supplement to "Edmonton Beneath Our Feet." Describes earth science to see in the North Saskatchewan River Valley between the University of Alberta and Rossdale. Guide to old Fort Edmonton, the Legislature Grounds, and the sites of the 1915 flood and Strathcona Mine fire, including the views of an engineer, a geologist, and a geomorphologist.

Fraser, Esther. (1969). Canadian Rockies: Early Travels and Explorations. Edmonton: Hurtig Publishers.

Friesen, Victor Carl. (2002). Where the Rivers Run: Stories of the Saskatchewan and the People Drawn to Its Shores. Calgary: Fifth House Books.

Geiger, John Grigsby. (1996). River Lot Three: Settlement life on the North Saskatchewan.

Note: Describes the history of the Victoria settlement and the settlement along the valley of the North Saskatchewan River during the late 19th century. Reference is also made to the Northwest Rebellion of 1885 and its impact on the Victoria settlement. Settlers were worried that Big Bear's band would attack their homes. University of Saskatchewan Library: Call #: Shortt FC3651 .A33 v.44, no.1, 1996.

Gough, Barry M. (Ed.) (1992). The Journal of Alexander Henry the Younger, 1799-1814. Volume 1: Red River and the Journey to the Missouri; Volume 2: The Saskatchewan and Columbia Rivers. Toronto: The Champlain Society.

Haig, Bruce. (1983). Following Historic Trails: James Hector Explorer. Calgary: Detselig Enterprises.

Haig, Bruce, Ed. (1990.) Journal of a Journey Over Land from Buckingham House to the Rocky Mountains in 1792-3: A Look at Peter Fidler's Journal. Lethbridge: Historical Research Centre.

Hart, E.J., Ed. (1980). A Hunter of Peace: Mary T.S. Schaffer's Old Indian Trails of the Canadian Rockies. Banff: Whyte Foundation.

Hind, Henry Youle.(1860) Narrative of the Canadian Red River Exploring Expedition of 1857and of the Assiniboine and Saskatchewan exploring expedition of 1858. London: Charles E. Tuttle Company. (Edmonton : M.G. Hurtig, c1971. Reprint of narrative first published in 1860, with a new introduction by Roy St. George Stubbs.)

Note: This is NOT about the North Saskatchewan but about the Saskatchewan east of the Forks.

Houston, C. Stuart and Maurice G. Street. (1959). The Birds of the Saskatchewan River, Carlton to Cumberland. Regina: Saskatchewan Natural History Society.

Jenish, D’Arcy. (2004). Epic Wanderer: David Thompson and the Mapping of the Canadian West. Toronto: Anchor Canada.

Kostash, Myrna. (2005). Reading the River: a Traveller's Companion to the North Saskatchewan. Regina: Coteau Books.

Lund, Mark. (2007). Mark's Guide For Alberta Paddlers. Edmonton: Mark Lund.

Note: This guide includes sections on North Saskatchewan River and other rivers and lakes. At July 2007, the following applied: view specific reports by Mark Lund on North Saskatchewan River at abcanoekayak.org. Guide information is available by e-mail: marklund@shaw.ca phone: 780.436.4253 postal: 5404-114A St., Edmonton, AB., T6H 3M7

MacDonald, Janice E., Ed. (1992). Canoeing Alberta. Edmonton: Lone Pine Publishing.

MacGregor, J.G. (1949). Blankets and Beads: a History of the Saskatchewan River. Edmonton: Institute of Applied Art.

MacGregor, J.G. (1954). Behold the Shining Mountains: the Travels of Anthony Henday 1754-55. Edmonton: Applied Arts.

MacGregor, J.G. (2004). Peter Fidler, Canada's Forgotten Explorer, 1769 - 1822. Calgary: Fifth House.

MacLennan, Hugh & de Visser, John. (1974). Rivers of Canada. Toronto: Macmillan.

Milholland, Billie. (2002). North Saskatchewan River guide: mountain to prairie a living landscape. Edmonton: North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance.

Note: maps of complete river, from the Glacier to the Forks, with natural history commentary.

Morton, Arthur S. (1939). A History of the Canadian West to 1870-71 Being a History of Rupert's Land (The Hudson's Bay Company's Territory) and of the North-West Territory (Including the Pacific Slope). London: Thomas Nelson & Sons.

North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance. At July 2007, its comprehensive heritage river reports are available at www.nswa.ab.ca,

Palliser, John. (1969). Exploration-British North America. Papers Relative to the Exploration of That Portion of British North America Which Lies Between the Northern Branch of the River Saskatchewan and the Frontier of the United States; And Between the Red River and Rocky Mountains. New York: Greenwood Press. (Facsimile reprint.)

Note: See also Irene M. Spry fonds on Palliser at National Archives, Canada. This listing is one of three similar documents listed on www.collectionscanada.gc.ca this way in July 2007:

Palliser, John, (1807-1887)

1. Solitary Rambles and Adventures of a Hunter in the Prairies. London: John Murray, 1853.

Exploration - British North America: Papers Relative to the Exploration by Captain Palliser of That Portion of British North America Which Lies Between the Northern Branch of the River Saskatchewan and the Frontier of the United States and Between the Red River and the Rocky Mountains and Thence to the Pacific Ocean. London: Printed by G. E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1859.

2. Exploration: British North America - Further Papers Relative to the Exploration by the Expedition Under Captain Palliser of That Portion of British North America Which Lies Between the Northern Branch of the River Saskatchewan and the Frontier of the United States and Between the Red River and the Rocky Mountains and Thence to the Pacific Ocean. London: printed by G. E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1860; New York: Greenwood Press, 1969.

3. Exploration, British North America: The Journals, Detailed Reports and Observations Relative to the Exploration by Captain Palliser of that Portion of British North America Which, [...]. London: printed by G. E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1863.

Parks Canada. (1974). Wild Rivers: Alberta. Wild Rivers Survey. Ottawa: Parks Canada Planning Division.

Peel, Bruce. "First Steamboats on the Saskatchwan." Beaver [Canada] 1964 295 (Autumn): 16-21. In Smith, Dwight L. (1979). The American and Canadian West: A Bibliography. Santa Barbara: American Bibliographic Centre, Clio Press. (Also University of Saskatchewan Library: Call # MAIN LIB-4TH FLR FC3207.1 .B4)

Note: The first steamboat to try to connect the Red and Saskatchewan Rivers was the Chief Commissioner, built at Lower Fort Garry and launched in June 1872. Unable to get through the Dauphin River, she was used exclusively on Lake Winnipeg. An unnamed ship launched in August 1873 was sunk after steaming only 14 miles. Its successor was the Northcote, launched in the following year, whose maiden voyage of 490 miles from Grand Rapids to Carlton House was made in 12 days. Illus. (Smith annotation)

Ream, Peter T. (1974). The Fort on the Saskatchewan: a resource book on Fort Saskatchewan and District. Second Edition. Edmonton: Peter Ream.

Skidmore, Colleen, Ed. (2007). This Wild Spirit: Women in the Rocky Mountains of Canada. Edmonton: University of Alberta Press.

Smith. S. H. "English Charlie." Alberta Historical Review [Canada] 1964 12(3): 26-27. In Smith, Dwight L. (1979). The American and Canadian West: A Bibliography. Santa Barbara: American Bibliographic Centre, Clio Press. (also University of Alberta Book and Record Depository FC 3651 A42 v.12-15 1964-1967)

Note: A biographical account of "English Charlie" whom the author knew around 1900. A veteran of the California (1849) and Cariboo (1860's) gold rushes, "English Charlie" tried homesteading around Edmonton after being drawn east in the 1870's by rumors of gold along the Saskatchewan River. Illus. (Smith annotation)

Smith, T. R. "The Steamboat Lily." Saskatchewan History [Canada] 1964 17(2): 55-59. In Smith, Dwight L. (1979). The American and Canadian West: A Bibliography. Santa Barbara: American Bibliographic Centre, Clio Press.
(also University of Saskatchewan Library: Call # Shortt FC3501 .S27 1948- )

Note: An account of the river steamer which provided a service on the North Saskatchewan river system in 1878-83, and which pioneered a service on the South Saskatchewan River as far as Medicine Hat. The chief hazard, rocks at low water, caused the wreckage of the Lily in 1883. Photograph. (Smith annotation)

Thompson, David. Journals 1780 - 1825. Calgary: Glenbow Museum.

Note: Microfilm of manuscript.

Tolton, Gordon E. (2007). Prairie Warships: River Navigation in the Northwest Rebellion. Vancouver: Heritage House.

Tyrrell, J.B., Ed. (1916). David Thompson's Narrative of his Explorations in Western America, 1784-1812. Toronto: Champlain Society.

Voligny, L.R. (engineer in charge). (1917). "Report of the survey of the North Saskatchewan River from Edmonton to Lake Winnipeg, 1910-1915." Ottawa: Canada, Department of Public Works (can also be listed as the author).

Note: Author also listed as Voligny, C. E. in Collections Canada database. Contains foldout maps, charts, plates. Is a survey of the river giving data on the river depth and conditions at miles from Edmonton. Also, discusses work necessary to make the river navigable. Copy in the National Archives, Canada.

White, M. Catherine, Ed. David Thompson's Journals Relating to Montana and Adjacent Regions, 1808 - 1812. Missoula: Montana State University Press.