1908.] 



PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY ATHABASKA VALLEY, 



17 



the Peace River Valley, including the Slave; the basin of Great 

 Slave Lake; the Liard River Valley; the Mackenzie Valley proper; 

 the basin of Great Bear Lake: and the region to the north and east 

 of that body of water, and drained by the Anderson, Coppermine, 

 and smaller rivers which enter the Arctic Ocean. These areas will 

 be considered in the order given. 



Fig. 1. — Loft bank Athabaska IMvct near La Bicho River. 



THE ATHABASKA VALLEY. 



The Athabaska River rises in the Rocky Mountains near Mount 

 Brown, at an altitude of about 5.700 feet, and pursues a northeasterly 

 and northerly course for nearly 600 miles to Athabaska Lake, falling 

 in this distance some 5.000 feet, and being interrupted by several series 

 of rapids. In the first 300 miles of its course it falls about 1.000 feet. 

 and receives in succession Baptiste River from the west, the McLeod 

 and Pembina from the south, and the Lesser Slave, draining tin' 

 large lake of that name, from the west. Below its confluence with 

 the last-named stream, the Athabaska turns southeastward for some 

 44131 — No. 27—08 2 



