Lethbridge Ramada Hotel And Suites

Go strolling in the coulees. A...

by glicko

Go strolling in the coulees. A coulee are the steep, eroded ravines along Prairie rivers. The Oldman River (which flows through Lethbridge) coulees are home to much flora and fauna (including rattlesnakes). Trails start near the east end of the High Level trestle. Exit from Highway 3 eastbound onto Scenic Drive, just after crossing the Oldman River. There is an information kiosk on the right side of the exit ramp just after you pass under the railway.

Floods along the Oldman River.

by dabidc

"Original Town flooded out."

It seemed to the original settlers to be a natural place to build a town, the river to provide water and maybe a form of transportation, it was near the site of Fort Whoop-Up, coal was discovered in the hillside near the site of the present high level bridge. The name was to be Coal Banks

All this in the late 1800's, some homes were built and then the Oldman river flooded and caused many to decide to build a town on the flat land above the coulees.

As the new town was located above the river it was called Lethbridge.

"One hundred years later, Floods again."

The photo shows the Oldman River in flood against the backdrop of a major road between Lethbridge City Centre and new development on the west side of the River.

The date early 1990's , the road did stay passable but the other main crossing , that of Highway 3 was restricted, especially when heavy trucks were placed on the road deck to ensure the road bridge was not washed out by the rising waters.

The replica of Fort Whoop-Up ( in the foreground) was badly damaged , since it was in the flood plain of the river.

If you are interetsed in the timelines of the City from about 1875, I have added some photos of the history of Coal Banks, now Lethbridge in the Travelogue section. The boards are located in the river bottom under the present Rail bridge.

"Interesting object as a subject for many photos."

The view is taken from the east side looking west with the sun setting to the right.

The photo appears to show a different colour of steel about half way along.

Not sure if it is the sunlight, the paint or the structure itself.

"Taken as the sun sets to the North West."

Yes, the final photo of the Bridge.