Sunwapta Falls is a pair of waterfalls of the Sunwapta River in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.
| Sunwapta Falls | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location in Alberta | |
 | |
| Location | Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada |
| Coordinates | 52°31′56″N 117°38′43″W / 52.5322°N 117.6453°W |
| Type | Class 6 |
| Total height | 18.5 m |
| Total width | 9.1 m (30 ft) |
| Watercourse | Sunwapta River |
The falls are accessible via a 600-metre (2,000 ft) access road off the Icefields Parkway, which connects Jasper and Banff National Parks. The falls have a drop of about 18.5 metres (61 feet). Sunwapta is a Stoney language word that means "turbulent water". The falls is most spectacular in the late spring when the spring melt is at its peak.
There are two falls, a lower and an upper one. The one most people see is the upper falls, as access is easier. The lower falls are a short distance away. The water originates from the Athabasca Glacier, and volumes are higher in early summer because of glacial melting. It is a Class 6 waterfall, with a drop of 18 m (60 ft) and a width of 9.1 m (30 ft).[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Sunwapta Falls". Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
External links
editMedia related to Sunwapta Falls at Wikimedia Commons
- Sunwapta Falls. Sunwapta Falls
This Alberta location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |