Elkford

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Elkford, BC, incorporated as a district municipality in 1981, population 2523 (2011c), 2463 (2006c). The District of Elkford is situated on the west side of the Elk River, a tributary to the Kootenay River, in the East Kootenay district of southeastern British Columbia. Located among the Rocky Mountains near the old coal-mining communities of the CROWSNEST PASS and 35 km north of SPARWOOD, Elkford, at 1300 m elevation, is the highest community in British Columbia.

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Elkford is an example of a RESOURCE TOWN, which was built to house mine employees and their families. The population was 605 in 1971 when the village of Elkford was incorporated and Fording Coal Ltd (now Elk Valley Coal Corporation) opened its open-pit coal mine nearby. The district's name comes from combining the names of the river the townsite lies beside and the coal company's. The development of various coal mines in the region created an economic and population boom for Elkford, which reached it peak in the 1980s. Besides mining, the community is the gateway to a large wilderness area, particularly Elk Lakes Provincial Park 70 km north. In spite of its elevation Elkford has a relatively sheltered climate and is subject to numerous warming CHINOOK winds in the winter.
Elkford
Elkford

Author JOHN STEWART Revised: KEN FAVRHOLDT


Links to Other Sites
District of Elkford
The official website for the District of Elkford, BC.

Community Profiles
See maps and statistical data for regions and communities throughout British Columbia. A Government of British Columbia website.

BC Geographical Names
Search the BC Geographical Names Information System for historical and geographical data about specific locations in British Columbia.

British Columbia Archives
Explore the fascinating history of BC through online digitized copies of selected government documents, manuscripts, maps, architectural plans, photographs, illustrations, audio and video files, newspapers and much more.

When Coal Was King
The multimedia website “When Coal was King: Coal Mining in Western Canada” explores the history of Alberta’s coal mining industry. Check out the glossary and educational activities. From the Alberta Online Encyclopedia.

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