Total annual precipitation (mm) 420 Annual snowfall (cm) 127 Water deficit (mm) 332 Mean July temperature (C) +18.0 Mean January temperature (C) -18.9

The climate is subhumid, moderately cold. There is enough precipitation to support tree growth. It is warmer than ecoregions to the north, and drier.

Landscape:

The landscape is gently undulating to rolling plain of glacial deposits. Well-drained black soils are predominant. The land slopes eastward and is drained by the Battle, Saskatchewan, Assiniboine, Qu'Appelle and Souris rivers and their tributaries. The land is dotted with wetlands called prairie potholes.

GPS: 50d 47.43m N, 103d 59.14m W, 2733 feet
21 July 96, 6:45 pm, Fuji Velvia 50, F8 1/100s

The scenic Qu'Appelle Valley on grid road #640.

GPS: 52d 43.09m N, 108d 15.37m W, 1464 feet
03 July 96, 3:15 pm, Fuji Velvia 50, F8 1/30s

The historic site of Battle River Forts.

GPS: 50d 47.43m N, 103d 59.14m W, 2733 feet
21 July 96, 6:45 pm, Fuji Velvia 50, F8 1/100s

The Hague Ferry crossing the North Saskatchewan River.

GPS: 50d 36.85m N, 102d 40.64m W, 1743 feet
20 July 96, 7:40 pm, Fuji Velvia 50, F8 1/30-2000s

Crooked Lake Provincial Park captures the spirit of the valley,
from the thick hardwood forest along the lake rising to open
grasslands and dense brush-filled coulees.

GPS: 51d 30.49m N, 102d 39.93m W, 1594 feet
14 July 96, 5:20 pm, Fuji Velvia 50, F8 1/125-350s

One of the best natural beaches of Saskatchewan
awaits you at the south end of Good Spirit Lake.

GPS: 49d 49.87m N, 102d 16.57m W, 2521 feet
20 July 96, 2:00 pm, Fuji Velvia 50, F9.5 1/125s

Moose Mountain Provincial Park.

Soil:

Vegetation:

The region has lost most of its native vegetation due to cultivation. Small groves of aspen trees and willows on moist and wet sites around wetlands give the landscape a park-like appearance. Deciduous forest and grassland are intermingled. Usually, there is a clear pattern of grassland on ridges and south-facing slopes and aspen in depressions and north-facing slopes. Trembling Aspen is the most common tree species, but willows, Balsam Poplar, white birch, white elm, green ash and Manitoba Maple are common. Bur oak, the most western species of the eastern hardwood forests grows with aspen in the eastern Qu'Appelle Valley (shown left).

Wildlife:

White-tailed deer are the most common big game species. Elk, black bear, ducks, sharp-tailed grouse, ruffed grouse and ground squirrels are also common. Moose Mountain Provincial Park has populations of elk, moose and mule deer. Beaver, muskrat, coyote, red fox (shown left), short-tailed and long-tailed weasel, badger, striped skunk, raccoon and snowshoe hare occur in areas dominated by aspen bluffs.

Bird diversity is high in native vegetation. Prairie potholes provide significant habitat for waterfowl.

Human Use:

Uses include potash mining, oil and gas extraction, hunting and recreation. Intensive agriculture for livestock and grain is dominated by the production of spring wheat and other cereal grains through continuous cropping and dryland methods. Oilseeds and hay are also grown.