Back about 220 years ago and before then....
The coulee just east of Nisku, where Saunders lake is, further to the south is Ord lake, then further south is Coal lake , then is Dried meat lake.
All in the same coulee valley. The interesting thing was back then the valley was one long lake called Archithinue lake by very early explorers. Archithinue was in reference to the Cree indians in the area. David Thompson knew the lake as Archithinue lake.
What was noted that water came out of both ends of the lake but both flows eventually connect to the north saskatchewan river.
The north end of the valley is where what is now known as blackmud creek flows north and merges with whitemud creek, eventually entering the river in Edmonton.
The south end of Archithinue lake eventually flowed into the Battle river which eventually flows in to the north sakatchewan river in Saskatchewan.
The water was coming out both ends of the 'long' lake and eventually flowing to the same place is interesting.
Another interesting thing was if a person follows Alberta's coulee system it has been said by old time plainsmen that you could follow the Archithinue coulee south and following connecting coulees a person could ride all the way to the head waters of the Missouri river stateside which flows into the Mississippi river.
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This country was started by voyagers whose young lives were swept away by the currents of the rivers for ten cents a day... just for the vanity of the European's beaver hats. ~ Red Bullets
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It is when you walk alone in nature that you discover your strengths and weaknesses. ~ Red Bullets
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