The Marten River is a short

river A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river. In some cases, a river flows into the ground and becomes dry at the end of its course without reaching another body of wate ...

in central

Alberta Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Ter ...

. The Marten is one of the major inflows of

Lesser Slave Lake Lesser Slave Lake (french: Petit lac des Esclaves)—known traditionally as "Beaver Lake" (ᐊᒥᐢᐠ ᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ amisk sâkâhikan in the Plains Cree language, and T’saat’ine migeh in Dene Zhatıé) or "Beaver people were over the ...

, which drains through the

Lesser Slave River The Lesser Slave River ( Cree ''Iyaghchi Eennu Sepe'', translation: "River of the Strange People") is a river in central Alberta, Canada. It is a major tributary of the Athabasca River. The Lesser Slave Lake and the river were the main links ...

, a major

tributary A tributary, or affluent, is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drainage ...

of the

Athabasca River The Athabasca River (French: ''Rivière Athabasca'') is a river in Alberta, Canada, which originates at the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park and flows more than before emptying into Lake Athabasca. Much of the land along its banks is pro ...

. Significant

debate Debate is a process that involves formal discourse on a particular topic, often including a moderator and audience. In a debate, arguments are put forward for often opposing viewpoints. Debates have historically occurred in public meetings, a ...

exists regarding the origin of the river's name. One

theory A theory is a rational type of abstract thinking about a phenomenon, or the results of such thinking. The process of contemplative and rational thinking is often associated with such processes as observational study or research. Theories may be s ...

suggests the river, as well as nearby Marten Mountain were named for a local

trapper Animal trapping, or simply trapping or gin, is the use of a device to remotely catch an animal. Animals may be trapped for a variety of purposes, including food, the fur trade, hunting, pest control, and wildlife management. History Neolithic ...

. The other

suggests the

and

mountain A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited Summit (topography), summit area, and ...

were named for

martens A marten is a weasel-like mammal in the genus ''Martes'' within the subfamily Guloninae, in the family Mustelidae. They have bushy tails and large paws with partially retractile claws. The fur varies from yellowish to dark brown, depending on t ...

, a

weasel Weasels are mammals of the genus ''Mustela'' of the family Mustelidae. The genus ''Mustela'' includes the least weasels, polecats, stoats, ferrets and European mink. Members of this genus are small, active predators, with long and slender bo ...

that inhabits the region. The

Geological Survey of Canada The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC; french: Commission géologique du Canada (CGC)) is a Canadian federal government agency responsible for performing geological surveys of the country, developing Canada's natural resources and protecting the en ...

used the name ''Martin River'' on an 1892

map A map is a symbolic depiction emphasizing relationships between elements of some space, such as objects, regions, or themes. Many maps are static, fixed to paper or some other durable medium, while others are dynamic or interactive. Although ...

. The

forms to the north of Marten Mountain at the outlet of the westernmost Marten Lake. It flows southwest before passing under

Alberta Highway 88 Alberta Provincial Highway No. 88, commonly referred to as Highway 88 and officially named the Bicentennial Highway, is a north–south highway in Northern Alberta. Highway 88 begins at its intersection with Highway 2 at t ...

. It enters

at the northern tip of

Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park is a provincial park and birdwatching area located in north-central Alberta, Canada. The park is located on the northeastern shore of the Lesser Slave Lake (while Hilliard's Bay Provincial Park, ''Lesser Slave L ...

Mussio Ventures.''South Peace Alberta Mapbook.'' Burnaby: Backroad Mapbooks, 2004.

References

Rivers of Alberta {{Alberta-river-stub

See also

References