Cypress County

Cypress County is a municipal district in southeastern Alberta, Canada. The County completely surrounds the City of Medicine Hat and the Town of Redcliff. The municipality is part of Census Division 1, Alberta. [3] The first farm in the area was settled in 1890.[4]

Cypress County
Municipal district
Welcome sign
Location within Alberta
Country Canada
Province Alberta
RegionSouthern Alberta
Census divisionNo. 1
Established1985
Incorporated1985
Government
 • ReeveDan Hamilton
 • Governing bodyCypress County Council
 • Office locationDunmore
Area
 (2016)[2]
 • Land13,173.25 km2 (5,086.22 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)[2]
 • Total7,662
 • Density0.6/km2 (2/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST)
Websitecypress.ab.ca

Geography

The Cypress County landscape is dominated by a shortgrass prairie ecosystem.[5] The land is flat to slightly rolling. The Cypress Hills region features mixed grasslands, wetlands and montane habitats.[6] Major hydrological features include the South Saskatchewan and Milk rivers. Extensive coulee systems have formed adjacent to major rivers resulting in badlands terrain.

Near Walsh, Alberta at 50°0′38.2″N 110°6′48.3″W lies the Badlands Guardian. Here the landscape takes the form of a head wearing a feathered headdress. The head is approximately 300 metres (980 ft) wide and 25 metres (82 ft) deep. This unusual geographic feature is a result of natural erosion of the surrounding prairie.

Climate

Cypress County has a semiarid climate[5] with cold, dry winters and warm to hot summers. The winter cold is occasionally tempered by mild and dry chinook winds blowing from the west. Hot summer daytime temperatures are made tolerable by low humidity and rapid cooling in the evening hours. Maximum precipitation typically occurs in late spring and early summer.[3]

Demographics

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Cypress County recorded a population of 7,662 living in 2,689 of its 3,222 total private dwellings, a 6.2% change from its 2011 population of 7,214. With a land area of 13,173.25 km2 (5,086.22 sq mi), it had a population density of 0.6/km2 (1.5/sq mi) in 2016.[2]

In the 2011 Census, Cypress County had a population of 7,214 living in 2,518 of its 3,040 total dwellings, a 7.5% change from its 2006 adjusted population of 6,709. With a land area of 13,160.44 km2 (5,081.27 sq mi), it had a population density of 0.5/km2 (1.4/sq mi) in 2011.[7]

Politics

Local

Cypress County has a Municipal Council of 9 elected Councillors. Councillors are elected by the eligible electors (Cypress County residents) who vote for a candidate in their electoral ward. Municipal elections organized by Alberta Municipal Affairs are held on the 3rd Monday in October every four years. Each October, the Councillors elect the Reeve and Deputy Reeve.[8]

The Cypress County Council (elected in October 2017) consists of:[1]

  • Councillor Alf Belyea
  • Councillor Darcy Geigle
  • Councillor Dan Hamilton
  • Councillor Shane Hok
  • Councillor Robin Kurpjuweit
  • Councillor Michelle McKenzie
  • Councillor Ernest Mudie
  • Reeve Richard Oster
  • Councillor Dustin Vossler

Provincial

Cypress County is served by the Provincial Electoral Division of Cypress-Medicine Hat and represented in the Alberta Legislature by Wildrose MLA Drew Barnes.

Federal

Cypress County is served by the Federal Electoral Division of Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner and represented in the House of Commons of Canada by Conservative MP Glen Motz.

Municipal services

Cypress County provides municipal services through various departments. Services include agricultural programs, road maintenance, bylaw enforcement, land use planning, development advice and approvals, fire protection, recreation, street lighting, waste collection, recycling, water and sewer, emergency services, and family and community support.[3]

Communities and localities

Economy

Agriculture and the oil and gas industry are the primary economic activities within the county. Agricultural sectors include ranching, wheat and oil seed crops, irrigated alfalfa and other specialty crops.[3] Irrigation water is supplied by the St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) and other smaller water co-operatives. Oil and gas production is extensive throughout the county. Natural gas is gathered through pipe networks and processed in gas production plants near Hilda.[3]

Transportation

Highways

The Trans-Canada Highway (1), Crowsnest Highway (3) and Highway 41 traverse Cypress County.[3] The Trans-Canada enters the eastern part of the County near Walsh and travels west through Dunmore and on to Medicine Hat. From Medicine Hat the highway travels in a north westerly direction passing near Suffield and on to Calgary. Planning has begun to upgrade The Trans Canada to true freeway status. The Crowsnest highway enters the County near Seven Persons and travels in a north westerly direction to Medicine Hat. Highway 41 begins at the U.S. border (Port of Wild Horse) and passes through the county in a northerly direction. Highway 41 intersects the Trans Canada Highway near Dunmore and continues on in a northerly direction until it exits the County near Sandy Point Recreational Area at the county's most northerly limits.

Roads and streets

Cypress County has developed and maintains an extensive road network within its municipal jurisdiction. Paved, oiled and graveled roads total more than 2700 km in length.

Rail

The Canadian Pacific Railway Main Line traverses Cypress County.[3] The line enters the eastern part of the County near Walsh and travels west through Dunmore and on to Medicine Hat. From Medicine Hat the line travels in a north westerly direction passing near Suffield and on to Calgary. A secondary line joins the main at Dunmore and travels in a south westerly direction passing near Seven Persons and on to Lethbridge. Major switching yards are located in Dunmore. Several spur lines and side yards exist along the lines route to facilitate the handling of grain and other commodities.

Education

Secondary schools

The Prairie Rose School Division #8 serves the needs of public school students. Schools within this district include Eagle Butte High School, Burdett School, Bow Island Elementary, Senator Gershaw School, Parkside School, I. F. Cox School, Margaret Wooding School, Irvine School, Schuler School, Oyen Public School, New Brigden School, Ralston School, Seven Persons School, Beyond Walls Alternative Outreach School and Elkwater Hutterite Colony and six other colony schools.[13] The division office is located in Dunmore.[3]

The Medicine Hat Catholic Separate Regional School Division #20 serves the needs of Roman Catholic students. District schools located in Medicine Hat and Bow Island include McCoy High School, St. Mary's School, Notre-Dame Academy, St. Louis School, St. Francis Xavier School, St. Michael's School, Mother Teresa School and St. Patrick's School.[14] The division office is located in Medicine Hat.[3]

Christian Education K-12 is provided by Cornerstone Christian School.

Post-secondary education

The Medicine Hat College is a junior college located in Medicine Hat. The college offers university transfer programs, applied degrees and apprenticeship programs. Athletics include basketball, volleyball, and soccer.

Military

Cypress County is home to Canadian Forces Base Suffield. The base provides an extensive training area for both Canadian and British Armed Forces.[15] Defence Research and Development Canada facilities are located here as well. [16]

Attractions
  • Bullshead Reservoir - Camping, Fishing
  • Cavan Lake Municipal Recreation Area - Camping, Boating, Fishing
  • Cypress Hills Provincial Park - Camping, Boating, Fishing, Golfing, Swimming, Hiking, Rodeo, Winter Carnival, Skiing (Water, Downhill, Cross Country)
  • Desert Blume Golf Club - Golfing
  • Golden Sheaf Municipal Recreation Area - Boating, Fishing, Water Skiing, Camping
  • Irvine Prairie Memories Museum - Local Historical Displays
  • Michelle Reservoir - Camping, Fishing, Boating
  • Murray Lake Reservoir - Fishing
  • Reesor Lake - Camping, Fishing, Boating, Hiking
  • Sandy Point Municipal Recreation Area - Camping, Fishing, Boating
  • Spruce Coulee Reservoir - Camping, Fishing, Boating
  • Walsh Tourist Information Center - Travel Alberta Rest Area
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See also

References
  1. "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  2. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  3. http://www.albertafirst.com/profiles/statspack/20662.html Archived 2009-03-10 at the Wayback Machine AlbertaFirst.Com
  4. Cypress Hills (Alberta) Historical Society (1991). Cypress Hills country. Elkwater, Alberta: Cypress Hills (Alberta) Historical Society. p. 38. ISBN 0-88925-918-6.
  5. http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sag6303?OpenDocument Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
  6. http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/cypresshills/naturalregions.asp Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation
  7. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  9. "Medicine Hat, City (Census Subdivision), Alberta". Statistics Canada. 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  10. "Specialized and Rural Municipalities and Their Communities" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. 2012-03-01. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-09. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
  11. "Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) 2006, Economic Regions: 4801003 - Cypress County, geographical codes and localities, 2006". Statistics Canada. 2010-03-05. Archived from the original on 2013-05-25. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
  12. "Ghost Towns of Alberta: Alderson". Susan Foster and Johnnie Bachusky. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  13. http://prrdweb.com/Public-Schools.php Archived 2011-08-25 at the Wayback Machine Prairie Rose School Division (Official Site)
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2009-02-02.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Medicine Hat Catholic Separate Regional Division #20 (Official Site)
  15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-02-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Canadian Forces Base Suffield (Official Site)
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-01-21. Retrieved 2009-02-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Defence Research and Development Canada (Official Site)
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