Clearwater County
http://www.county.clearwater.ab.ca
Welcome
On behalf of Clearwater County, both staff and residents, we would like to extend our warmest invitations and greetings.
Clearwater County is an area that is rich in history, beauty and resources. For many years we have seen the community grow and prosper as businesses realize the great potential for growth here. We are continually striving to achieve a balance in development and preservation, and judging from our growth rates in both industry and tourism, we feel that we are succeeding.
Our municipality has a strong economic base, due to a wide diversity in industry and the attitudes of our residents. Our economically diverse community is strengthened by several key industries including oil & gas, agriculture, forestry and tourism. These industries are all major players in our community's sound economic base, and they will continue to be key industries as our community continues to grow and diversify.
Once again, we welcome you to visit Clearwater County. Whether you are a business looking for growth and development opportunities, or just planning on enjoying our fantastic scenery and recreation opportunities, we know that you will be impressed with what we have to offer.
Sincerely,
Pat Alexander,
Reeve, Clearwater County
Area Overview
Clearwater County is an attractive area located in west-central Alberta only a short distance from Red Deer. The population, including the Town of Rocky Mountain House and the Village of Caroline, is roughly 21,000 people.
The County has vast natural resources including oil and gas, forestry and agriculture. These industries, along with tourism, form the major economic sectors in the area.
Residents and visitors to the County can enjoy the area's immense natural beauty, and the numerous indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities that exist. In addition to its historic sites, the County boasts a wide array of modern recreational opportunities that appeal to all ages.
Location
The Municipal District of Clearwater is located in central Alberta. It is approximately 45 minutes west of the City of Red Deer and has easy access to Edmonton, Calgary, Jasper and Banff.
Economic Base
Clearwater County's economic base includes agriculture, oil & gas, forestry and tourism.
The top five major employers, by sector, are agriculture [2,000], oilfield services [1,200], small business [800], schools [350], and tourism [300].
Economic Facts
Major/Key Employers
Caroline Supplies
Challand Excavating Ltd.
Diamond J Industries
David Thompson Health Region
Denim Pipeline Construction
Extra Foods
Husky Oil Operations Ltd. Ram River Plant
Keyera Energy Resources Strachan Plant
Pidherney's Trucking Ltd.
Rocky Mountain House Coop Association
R. Pollitt Oilfield Construction Ltd.
Shell Canada - Shell Caroline Complex
Sobey's
W. Pidherney Welding Ltd.
West Fraser Mills Ltd.
Wild Rose Public Schools
Products/Services
Clearwater County's major products are oil, sour gas, agricultural commodities, and finished and unfinished lumber. There are strong support services for these industries as well as a great many tourist opportunities and options. Campers alone account for over 140,000 visitors annually.
Financial Institutions
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
- Scotiabank
- Alberta Treasury Branch
- Rocky Savings & Credit Union
Utilities
Electrical Power
Epcor
310-4300
Fortis Alberta Inc.
310-6473
Natural Gas
Northwestern Utilities Ltd.
5033 - 45 Street
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
T0M 1T0
Tel: 403-845-3575
Telephone and Internet
Telus
310-2255
Shaw Cable
1-800-400-9605
Various high-speed wireless providers also operate in various regions of the County.
Water Supply
The water supply within Rocky Mountain House and the Village of Caroline is administered by their respective municipalities, while the water supply outside of town and Village is provided by private wells.
Waste Management
Garbage collection is administered by the Rocky Mountain House Regional Solid Waste Management Authority. There are 10 transfer stations -- at Rocky Mountain House, Caroline, Crammond, Crossroads, Leslieville, Cow Lake, Everdell, Faraway, Nordegg and Kline. Disposal is at a local Class 2 regional landfill. Garbage collection for Caroline is provided by the Village's Public Works department.
Taxation
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Municipal Tax Rate |
2.2585 / 3.2800 |
5.5927 |
| Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate |
2.0458 |
3.7209 |
| Education Opted Out Tax Rate |
2.0459 |
3.7209 |
| Allowance for Non-Collection of Requisitioned Taxes |
.0430 |
.0430 |
| Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate |
.0678 |
.0678 |
Transportation
Air Services
There is a provincial airport with a 2,037 metre runway and all-weather facilities located in the County, just outside of Rocky Mountain House. Shunda Helicopter Service Ltd. and Aerial Recon Surveys Ltd. operate out of the airport.
Rail Services
Clearwater County is served by Canadian National Railways.
Highways
Connecting highways include Highway 11 (east/west), Highway 22 (north/south), Highway 54 (east), Highway 12 (east) and Highway 53 (east). The Forestry Trunk Road (north/south) is also used extensively by industry and tourists to access the West Country.
Trucking Firms
- Rocky Fast Express
- Rocky Mountain Transport
- Rimbey Transport
Bus Services
Greyhound Bus Lines provides regularly scheduled inter-community service. Freight pick-up and delivery is also available.
Couriers and Taxis
Loomis and Purolator Couriers, Rainbow Courier
Clearwater cabs operates in Rocky Mountain House and the surrounding area.
Community Lifestyle
Recreation
Clearwater County offers unequalled beauty and adventure. The nearby mountain ranges offer climbing, hiking, camping, and caving opportunities for all levels of enthusiast and, with an abundance of green areas and hundreds of rivers, lakes and streams, Clearwater offers excellent camping, hunting, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, trail riding, fishing, swimming, boating and many other recreational pursuits.
Notable recreation facilities include multiple artificial ice skating arenas, outdoor rinks, curling rinks, golf courses, public libraries, a bowling alley, movie theatre, 400 metre outdoor oval ice surface, various stampede grounds, numerous ball diamonds, asphalt and coated tennis courts, an outdoor miniature golf course, fish ponds and a trout ranch, numerous major cross-country skiing areas, a 25 metre indoor swimming pool with a hot tub and water slide, multiple summer camps, riding stables, a dirt-bike track, museums and a gun and archery range.
Parks and campgrounds include the National Historic Park, Nordegg Historic Mine Site, Crimson Lake Provincial Park, Bighorn Wildland Area, municipal recreation areas, numerous Forestry campgrounds, municipal parks, campgrounds in Rocky Mountain House and Caroline, the Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve, Pioneer Ranch Camp and Camp Caroline.
Community Organizations
Community organizations active in the County include 4-H Clubs, Agricultural Societies, the Caroline Chamber of Commerce, Rocky Chamber of Commerce, Elks Clubs, Royal Canadian Legion, David Thompson Country Fair Society, David Thompson Recreation Board, Debating Society, Drama Groups, regional FCSS, Figure Skating Clubs, Golf and Curling Clubs, Historical Societies, Kinsmen, Ladies Auxiliary, Martial Arts, Minor Hockey, Nordegg Recreation Board, Public Speaking Groups, Riding Academy and Equestrian Facilities, Royal Purple, Rocky Recreation Board, Stampede Boards, Tansi I.T.C., and the Youth Hall.
Religious Services
All major denominations are represented in the County.
Special Annual Events/Attractions
Clearwater County is rich in history. Two major historic sites include the Nordegg Historic Minesite and the Rocky National Historic Park.
Annual Events:
- Rocky Trade Fair
- Rocky Rodeo and Exhibition
- Bighorn Rodeo and Stampede
- David Thompson Days
- Sea Cadets Annual Inspection
- Western Wheels Car Show
- Rocky Mountain Bike Racing [Snow Creek]
- Terry Fox Run
- Festival of Culture
- 4-H Show and Sale
- Arashi - Do Karate Tournament
Hospitality
Accommodation
Overnight accommodation is available in Rocky Mountain House, Caroline, Nordegg and Leslieville.
Restaurants
Dining facilities are available throughout Clearwater County.
Education
The County is part of the Wild Rose School Division No. 66, headquartered in Rocky Mountain House [Tel: 403-845-3376], and the Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Separate Regional Division No. 13, headquartered in Drayton Valley [Tel: 403-542-5267].
Daycare/Nursery
The County is home to a number of day care centres, nursery schools and Early Childhood Services [ECS] programs.
Public
Public schooling is available in Rocky Mountain House [K-12], Caroline [K-12], Leslieville [1-7], and Condor [1-7]. In addition to this, the David Thompson High School provides education for Grades 8-12.
Separate
St. Matthew's Catholic School [K-12], Rocky Mountain House
Private
Rocky Christian School (K-9)
Post Secondary
Adult and post-secondary education is available from the Rocky Community Learning Council, Pembina Educational Consortium, and Red Deer College.
Health Care
Hospital care is available at the Rocky Mountain House General Hospital, which has 80 beds, and the Rocky Nursing Home, which has 50 beds. There are 10 medical doctors, 1 surgeon, and a medical clinic with laboratory facilities.
Other medical services include 4 chiropractors, 3 optometrists, 3 dental clinics, one acupuncturist, two physiotherapists, and the Red Deer Regional Health Unit [4 public health nurses, 6 home care nurses].
Facilities for seniors are available at the Westview Lodge [50 beds], Acton House [20 units], Day Manor [8 units], Columbus Place [36 units], all of which are located in Rocky Mountain House. There is also the Caroline Lodge [12 units] and Leslieville Lodge [8 units]. Services available include Home Care, Meals on Wheels, Drop-Ins, Historical Reunion Societies, and Family & Community Support Services [FCSS].
Emergency Services
Fire Protection
There are 5 volunteer fire departments in the County. These departments are housed in Nordegg, Rocky Mountain House, Caroline, Leslieville and Condor. There are two "Jaws of Life" systems, six pumper trucks, five water trucks, a telephone and radio paging system, and a radio communications system.
Police Services
Clearwater is served by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) from detachments in Rocky Mountain House, Sundre, Rimbey and Innisfail. The County also employs two Special Constables.
Ambulance Services
Ambulance services is provided from stations in Rocky Mountain House, Caroline, Rimbey, Nordegg and Sundre.
Community Services
Municipal
Clearwater County
P.O. Box 550
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
T0M 1T0
Tel: 403-845-4444
Fax: 403-845-7330
- Public Libraries [Rocky Mountain House, Caroline]
- Public Works
- Agricultural Services Board
- Nordegg Historical Mine Site
- Family and Community Support Services
Provincial
Provincial departments with offices in the M.D. include Agriculture, Attorney General, Crimson Lake Provincial Park, Eastern Slopes Region, Forestry, Opportunity Corps, Provincial Airport, Public Lands, Public Works, Recreation and Parks, Social Services and Community Health, Solicitor General, Transportation and Wildlife.
Federal
- Canada Post
- Canadian Parks Service
- Environment Canada
- Health and Welfare
- Canada Immigration and Employment Centre
- Rocky Mountain House National Historic Park
Google Map
Clearwater County, Alberta, Canada