Mistaya River
| Mistaya River | |
|---|---|
Mistaya River before the falls | |
| Location | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Protected area | Banff National Park |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • coordinates | 51°58′03″N 116°43′23″W / 51.96750°N 116.72306°W |
| Mouth | |
• location | Peyto Lake |
| Length | 38 km (24 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | North Saskatchewan River |
| Topo map | NTS 82N15 Mistaya Lake |
The Mistaya River is a short river in western Alberta, Canada. It flows through Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, and a section of the Icefields Parkway was built along its course.
Mistaya River originates in Peyto Lake, a glacial lake of typical blue colour (due to rock flour). Mistaya flows north-west, receiving the waters of creeks such as Delta, Silverhorn, Cirque, Noyes, Chephren, Totem, Epaulette, Bison, Kaufmann and Sarbach. A series of elongated lakes are formed along the river: Mistaya Lake and Waterfowl Lakes.
Mistaya merges into the North Saskatchewan River at the Saskatchewan River Crossing.
From its headwaters of Peyto Creek, Mistaya River has a total length of 38 km.
The origin of the name is from the Cree language: ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐊᔭ (mistahaya) means 'grizzly bear'.