Travel Home Page • What to Do • Where to Go • Where to Eat • Where to Sleep • Where to Camp • Our Communities
Dramatic skies make Alberta SouthWest a great setting for windmill watching.
Wind farms are sprouting across the continent, but nowhere else do they turn in such magnificent settings. Canada's first wind farm, Cowley Ridge, was erected in 1993 to harvest the steady westerly winds, and occasional supercharged Chinooks, that blast over Cowley Ridge as they exit Crowsnest Pass. These original 257 Canadian Hydro turbines continue to generate more than 60 megawatts of electricity per year, enough to power, 7,500 homes.
Each modern turbine annually generates enough power for 286 homes.
Cowley Ridge Wind Farm
From intersection with Highway 3 (GPS N49.34.09, W114.04.40) head east on Township Road 73 to intersection with Range Road 14 (GPS N49.34.03, W114.05.29). Turn south on Range Road 14 to the peak of the ridgeline (GPS N49.32.42, W114.05.29.)
Canada's pioneer windfarm is easily visited on Cowley Ridge.
Stag and doe cavort amid abandoned farm buildings and Cowley Ridge turbines.
For bucolic views of traditional agricultural landscapes mixed with the modern elegance of wind turbines, continue south on Range Road 14 to its intersection with Township Road 70 (GPS N49.31.26, W114.05.29). Turn west on Township Road 70 to the large wooden ruin (GPS N49.31.26, W114.05.51.)
Today's total 220 megawatts of local wind-power generation sustains 30 full-time, year-round jobs in operations and maintenance with an annual payroll approaching $2 million and more than that in royalty payments to landowners.
Ranchers and farmers earn income from land rentals to wind farms.
Castle River Wind Farm
Now, head back east on Township Road 70 to its intersection with Range Road 13, also called South Fork Road (GPS N49,31.27, W114.03.14). Continue east along Range Road 13, cross the Castle River, and proceed uphill to the intersection with Range Road 11 (GPS N49,31.23, W114.01.17). Head south on Range Road 11 to the centre of the linear wind farm (GPS N49.30.16, W114.01.24). After admiring the turbines up close, continue south on Range Road 11 to its intersection with Highway 507 (GPS N49.28.22, W114.01.24). Turn east towards Pincher Creek and, perhaps, stop for refreshment at Celestial Sweets (just off Main Street on Kettles St.).
Castle River Wind Farm towers above a great recreation river.
Castle River Wind Farm from Secondary Highway 507 west of Pincher Creek.
Castle River Wind Farm from Range Road 11.
Cattle coexist with turbines alongside Highway 3 near Cowley, Alberta.
Harvests of wind and wheat coexist near Cowley, Alberta.
Kettles Hill Wind Farm
The Kettles Hill Wind Farm is arrayed along a ridgeline east of Pincher Creek. A road parallels the windmills and provides exceptional views of foothills agricultural lands, the Porcupine Hills to the north, and the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains. Drive to the T-intersection at the eastern end of Pincher Creek's Main Street (GPS N49.29.08, W113.55.31) where Seconday Highway 507 turns sharply south. Turn north on Range Road 31 to intersection with Secondary Highway 785 (GPS N49.29.31, W113.55.31). Turn east on Seconday Highway 785 to intersection with Township Road 64 (GPS N49.29.33, W113.54.53). Head east to intersection with Range Road 293 (GPS N49.21.41, W113.50.39), turn north and follow the ridge line. Continue along the line of windmills to intersection with Township Road 65 (GPS W49.30.34, N113.50.10). Turn west and follow the gravel roads in a northwesterly direction to rejoin Alberta Highway 3 (GPS N49.30.34, W113.50.10).
Late spring snow dusts Kettles Hill Wind Farm east of Pincher Creek.
Metereological towers control turbine speed and orientation.
With a planned increase in transmission capacity the wind industry is poised for further significant growth.
The region's wind resources, exceptionally sunny skies, and supply of agricultural waste promise great opportunities for wind, solar, geo-thermal and waste-to-energy technology development.
Alberta SouthWest
(PDF download)