Wabamun
Hamlet
Hamlet of Wabamun
Dragonfly sculpture in Wabamun
Dragonfly sculpture in Wabamun
Wabamun is located in Alberta
Wabamun
Wabamun
Location of Wabamun in Alberta
Coordinates: 53°33′28″N 114°28′06″W / 53.55778°N 114.46833°W / 53.55778; -114.46833
CountryCanada
ProvinceAlberta
RegionEdmonton Metropolitan Region
Census division11
Municipal districtParkland County
Incorporated[1] 
 • VillageJuly 18, 1912
 • DissolutionJanuary 1, 1946
 • VillageJanuary 1, 1980
 • Dissolution[2]January 1, 2021
Founded byGrand Trunk Pacific Railway
Named forWabamun Lake
Area
 (2016)[3]
 • Land3.58 km2 (1.38 sq mi)
Elevation
740 m (2,430 ft)
Population
 (2016)[3]
 • Total682
 • Density190.5/km2 (493/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Area code+1-780
HighwaysHighway 16
WaterwayWabamun Lake
WebsiteOfficial website

Wabamun /ˈwɑːbəmən/ is a hamlet in central Alberta, Canada within Parkland County.[4] It is approximately 67 kilometres (42 mi) west of Edmonton on Highway 16. It held village status prior to 2021.[2]

History

Wabamun was named for its location on the north shore of Lake Wabamun. The first post office opened in Wabamun in 1903.[5] In the early 1900s, Wabamun was a railway stop for homesteaders. Many brought goods and animals on train cars as far as Wabamun and then transferred to wagons drawn by oxen or horses for the remainder of trips to homesteads in the Lac Ste. Anne area.[6]

Wabamun has twice incorporated as a village and twice dissolved from village status. Wabamun first incorporated as a village on July 18, 1912.[1] It then relinquished its village status on January 1, 1946.[1] Wabamun incorporated as a village a second time on January 1, 1980.[1] It relinquished its village status for a second time on January 1, 2021, when it dissolved to become a hamlet under the jurisdiction of Parkland County.[2]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
2001 601—    
2006 601+0.0%
2011 661+10.0%
2016 682+3.2%

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Wabamun recorded a population of 682 living in 270 of its 290 total private dwellings, a 3.2% change from its 2011 population of 661. With a land area of 3.58 km2 (1.38 sq mi), it had a population density of 190.5/km2 (493.4/sq mi) in 2016.[3]

In the 2011 Census, Wabamun had a population of 661 living in 265 of its 295 total dwellings, a 10% change from its 2006 population of 601. With a land area of 3.24 km2 (1.25 sq mi), it had a population density of 204.0/km2 (528.4/sq mi) in 2011.[7]

The population of Wabamun according to its 2009 municipal census is 662.[8]

Economy

The main source of income within Wabamun are power plants in the area operated by TransAlta Utilities. The power plant within Wabamun was closed because of increased pressure from environmental agencies and aging. The Wabamun power plant was the subject of heated debate among the residents and cottagers of Wabamun Lake. Due to the lack of a cool–off pond, the water used to cool the internal systems was deposited back into the lake, which enhanced the weed population dramatically.

As of March 31, 2010, the Wabamun Generating Station was decommissioned, with the smoke stacks being demolished on March 18, 2017.[9]

Tourism

A large cabin-going community exists in Wabamun during the summer, while the community is populated year round. Local sites include Wabamun Lake, Waterfront Park, the Wabamun Marina, the 380' pier and world's largest dragonfly. Businesses include 4 restaurants, hardware store, bowling lanes, post office, pharmacy, senior centre, realtor, liquor store, market, car wash, laundromat, motel, hotel, Inn, tavern, bottle depot, convenience store, 2 banks, mechanic and a grocery store.

There are currently plans for development to promote the community as a major visitor destination in central Alberta. These plans include further expansion of Waterfront Park, the largest boat launch on the lake, as well as Discovery Wharf, a project being undertaken that will see the development of app. 100 acres of lakefront property.

The lake itself has a large population of northern pike along with whitefish and Perch.

The main sailing club of the lake is Wabamun Sailing Club, approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of the community at the end of Range Road 43. A smaller club is on the opposite shore of the lake.

It is home to "Canada's largest dragonfly", a metal statue similar to other attractions to be found across the region.

Oil spill

On August 3, 2005, 45 cars of a CN Rail train derailed on the shores of Wabamun Lake, west of Wabamun, spilling their contents of more than 700,000 litres of a variety of fuel oils and pole treating oils into the lake.

Infrastructure

Wabamun and District Museum

Wabamun Public Library

Wabamun School - Parkland School Division (K-9)

Waterfront Park - lakeshore access, parking and full-sized boat launch, picnic area with shelter, washrooms and change rooms, playground and water spray park water spray park.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Location and History Profile: Village of Wabamun" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 21, 2016. p. 590. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "O.C.". Government of Alberta. December 9, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Specialized and Rural Municipalities and Their Communities" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  5. ↑ Harrison, Tracey (1994). Place Names of Alberta. Volume III Central Alberta. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary Press. p. 257. ISBN 1-895176-44-1.
  6. ↑ Lac Ste. Anne Historical Society. Archives Committee. (1959). West of the Fifth: a history of Lac Ste. Anne Municipality. Edmonton, CA: The Institute of Applied Art Ltd. pp. 69, 76, 186.
  7. ↑ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  8. ↑ Alberta Municipal Affairs (September 15, 2009). "Alberta 2009 Official Population List" (PDF). Retrieved September 12, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Wabamun power plant smoke stacks come tumbling down". CTV News Edmonton. March 18, 2011. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Wabamun.
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