The Lesser Slave River (Cree Iyaghchi Eennu Sepe, translation: "River of the Strange People") is a river in central Alberta, Canada. It is a major tributary of the Athabasca River.

The Lesser Slave Lake and the river were the main links to the Peace River district until the beginning of the 20th century, when the construction of the Northern Alberta Railway facilitated transportation in the area.

Course

The river originates from the Lesser Slave Lake at the town of Slave Lake. The average discharge at the mouth of the lake is 20m³/s. It flows eastwards for 61km, and merges with the Athabasca River at the village of Smith. From its headwaters of South Heart River, it has a total length of more than 280km.

Tributaries

Through Lesser Slave Lake

• Assineau River

Driftpile River

• Little Driftpile River

South Heart River

• East Prairie River, West Prairie River, North Heart River

• Marten River

Swan River

• Inverness River, Moosehorn River

Downstream of Lesser Slave Lake

• Sawridge Creek

• Eating Creek

Mitsue Creek

• Mitsue Lake, Florida Creek

• Muskeg Creek

• Otauwau River

• Salteux River

Driftwood River

• Fawcett River

See also

• Geography of Alberta

• List of Alberta rivers

References