Bow Corridor

The Hamlets of Harvie Heights, Dead Man’s Flats, Lac des Arcs and Exshaw, as well as the settlement of Kananaskis, are located in the Bow Valley. The area is dominated by the Bow River and contains major east-west transportation utility corridors.

Corridors

These include the Trans-Canada Highway and CP Rail mainline, as well as natural gas and power lines. Significant high quality limestone, shale and sandstone formations are quarried and processed into cement and lime products. Magnesite is also processed in the Bow Corridor. These products are important regionally and nationally. Additionally, there are significant hydropower generation facilities, operated by TransAlta.

Local Wildlife

The Bow Corridor watershed is a key location for fish spawning, bird migration, wildlife habitat and movement corridors for many species found in the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains. The area serves as a link between Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park.

The area is not only attractive as the gateway to major recreational and tourist destinations, but is rich in resources demanded throughout Canada and other parts of the world.

Ranchlands

The Ranchlands consist principally of open ranching and grazing land, and heavily forested terrain. It also contains significant natural gas reserves, and associated gathering and processing facilities as well as a few guest ranches. Benchlands is the only Hamlet in the Ranchlands area.

The quality of life of our residents is tied to a healthy, rural, natural environment and a robust economy.