Norman Wells (Slavey language: Tłegǫ́hłı̨ [t͡ɬʰɛkṍhɬĩ] "where there is oil") is a town located in the Sahtu Region, Northwest Territories, Canada. The town, which hosts the Sahtu Regional office, is situated on the north side of the Mackenzie River and provides a view down the valley of the Franklin and Richardson mountains.[7]
Norman Wells
Tłegǫ́hłı̨ The Wells | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Welcome to Norman Wells | |
| Motto: Where Adventures Begin | |
  Norman Wells  Norman Wells | |
| Coordinates: 65°16′52″N 126°49′54″W / 65.28111°N 126.83167°W[1] | |
| Country | Canada |
| Territory | Northwest Territories |
| Region | Sahtu |
| Settlement area | Sahtu |
| Constituency | Sahtu |
| Incorporated (town) | 12 April 1992 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Frank Pope[2] |
| • Senior Administrative Officer | Cathy Clarke[2] |
| • MLA | Paulie Chinna |
| Area (2021)[3] | |
| • Land | 82.09 km2 (31.70 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 73 m (240 ft) |
| Population (2021)[3] | |
| • Total | 673 |
| • Density | 9.2/km2 (24/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| Canadian postal code | X0E 0V0 |
| Area code | 867 |
| Telephone exchange | 587 |
| - Living cost (2018) | 162.5A |
| - Food price index (2019) | 170.5B |
| Website | www.normanwells.com |
| Sources: Department of Municipal and Community Affairs,[2] Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre,[4] Canada Flight Supplement[5] ^A 2018 figure based on Edmonton = 100[6] ^B 2019 figure based on Yellowknife = 100[6] | |
Demographics
editIn the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Norman Wells had a population of 673 living in 269 of its 404 total private dwellings, a change of -13.5% from its 2016 population of 778. With a land area of 82.09 km2 (31.70 sq mi), it had a population density of 8.2/km2 (21.2/sq mi) in 2021.[3]
A total of 315 people identified as Indigenous, and of these, 195 were First Nations, 80 were Métis, 15 were Inuit and 20 gave multiple Indigenous responses. The main languages in the town are North Slavey and English. Of the population, 78.1% is 15 and older, with the median age being 32.8, slightly less than the NWT averages of 79.3% and 34.0.[8]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 367 | — |
| 1981 | 420 | +14.4% |
| 1986 | 627 | +49.3% |
| 1991 | 627 | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 798 | +27.3% |
| 2001 | 775 | −2.9% |
| 2006 | 761 | −1.8% |
| 2011 | 727 | −4.5% |
| 2016 | 778 | +7.0% |
| 2021 | 673 | −13.5% |
| Source: Statistics Canada [3][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] | ||
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| Sources: NWT Bureau of Statistics (2008–2019),[6] NWT Bureau of Statistics (2001–2017)[16] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
History
editOil was first seen by Alexander Mackenzie during his exploration of the river in 1789 but it was not until 1911 that an oil bearing formation was discovered. Imperial Oil, a major employer in the town, was established in the area in 1937 with a refinery built in 1939.[7]
During the Second World War, Norman Wells was deemed important as a source of oil for military operations in Alaska and Yukon. The Canol Road and Canol Project was undertaken to enable the piping of oil to Whitehorse, with the flow starting in 1944. Although Norman Wells crude was light and easily flowed at temperatures as low as −62 °C (−80 °F), the line did not work well and was shut down shortly after the war ended. The road, which began at Canol Camp across the river, was abandoned.[7] The road's remains now make up the Canol Heritage Trail in the NWT.
The Norman Wells Proven Area Agreement of 1944 is a partnership between Imperial Oil and the federal government (administered by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) that has lasted to this day.[when?] The completion of an oil pipeline from Norman Wells to Zama City in 1985 connected to the North American pipeline grid and resulted in increased activity.[17]
Indigenous people
editThe Norman Wells Metis, a Métis group which is signatory to the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, are currently negotiating self-government powers and recently[when?] signed a framework agreement towards a new treaty.[citation needed]
Transportation
edit
Norman Wells is accessible by navigating the Mackenzie River in summer, or by driving over the winter ice road, December to March, that connects with Wrigley and Fort Simpson.[7] The most common method of travel into Norman Wells is by air via the Norman Wells Airport and the town is connected with both Yellowknife and Inuvik.[7] Scheduled flights are provided by Canadian North and North-Wright Airways. Beginning in June 2010 and until its amalgamation with Canadian North, First Air offered a scheduled service into the community. In the summer floatplane access to the town is possible at the Norman Wells Water Aerodrome. During the summer months there are barge services, sealifts to the town by Marine Transportation Services from Hay River and Cooper Barging Services from Fort Simpson.[7] Other aviation companies that have a presence in the community include Canadian Helicopters and Air Tindi.[18]
Services
editServices include a three-member Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment and a community health centre with two nurses with dental visits two or three times a year. There is a branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and two grocery stores including the Northern store and Rampart Rentals along with three hotels and two restaurants. Norman Wells also has a liquor store, currently the only one in the Sahtu Region. Phone service is provided by Northwestel with cable television and Internet access available. Mobile phone services are available through Bell Mobility or Northwestel's Latitude Wireless service, which is now owned by Bell.[19] Former member of parliament for the Western Arctic, Ethel Blondin-Andrew, has a consulting service, Mountain Dene Ventures, in the town.[20]
Education
editThe community is part of the Sahtu Divisional Education Council and they operate, through the Norman Wells District Education Authority, the Mackenzie Mountain School.[21][22] The school, which has an enrolment of 150, provides education from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.[23][24] Aurora College has a presence in the community with a community learning centre and a career centre.[19]
Climate
editNorman Wells has a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc) with summer lasting for about three months. Although winter temperatures are usually below freezing, every month of the year has seen temperatures above 5 °C (41 °F). Rainfall averages 171.7 mm (6.76 in) and snowfall 161.5 cm (63.58 in). On average, there are 35.9 days between November and April, when the wind chill is equal to or below −40,[25] which indicates that frostbite may occur within 5–10 minutes. Wind chills can drop below −48 indicating that frostbite can occur in less than 5 minutes.[26]
On 8 July 2023, Norman Wells experienced a temperature of 37.9 °C (100.2 °F)[27] and on 4 February 1947 a minimum of −54.4 °C (−65.9 °F).[25]
| Climate data for Norman Wells (Norman Wells Airport) WMO ID: 71043; coordinates 65°16′53″N 126°47′55″W / 65.28139°N 126.79861°W; elevation: 72.5 m (238 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1943–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | 12.2 | 6.3 | 17.5 | 20.0 | 29.7 | 36.2 | 37.2 | 36.0 | 29.7 | 19.8 | 12.2 | 10.7 | 37.2 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 12.5 (54.5) |
7.9 (46.2) |
17.8 (64.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
31.3 (88.3) |
33.5 (92.3) |
37.9 (100.2) |
34.8 (94.6) |
28.7 (83.7) |
21.0 (69.8) |
13.3 (55.9) |
11.1 (52.0) |
37.9 (100.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −21.4 (−6.5) |
−18.0 (−0.4) |
−12.0 (10.4) |
0.9 (33.6) |
13.0 (55.4) |
21.0 (69.8) |
22.6 (72.7) |
19.1 (66.4) |
11.3 (52.3) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
−13.6 (7.5) |
−19.6 (−3.3) |
0.2 (32.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −25.4 (−13.7) |
−22.8 (−9.0) |
−18.2 (−0.8) |
−5.3 (22.5) |
6.9 (44.4) |
15.0 (59.0) |
16.8 (62.2) |
13.7 (56.7) |
6.5 (43.7) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−17.4 (0.7) |
−23.6 (−10.5) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −29.4 (−20.9) |
−27.5 (−17.5) |
−24.3 (−11.7) |
−11.5 (11.3) |
0.8 (33.4) |
8.8 (47.8) |
10.9 (51.6) |
8.2 (46.8) |
1.5 (34.7) |
−7.2 (19.0) |
−21.2 (−6.2) |
−27.5 (−17.5) |
−9.9 (14.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −52.2 (−62.0) |
−54.4 (−65.9) |
−46.1 (−51.0) |
−37.2 (−35.0) |
−17.8 (0.0) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
−6.1 (21.0) |
−15.7 (3.7) |
−31.7 (−25.1) |
−42.8 (−45.0) |
−47.8 (−54.0) |
−54.4 (−65.9) |
| Record low wind chill | −61.7 | −60.2 | −57.5 | −43.8 | −25.1 | −6.9 | −2.2 | −9.6 | −17.7 | −39.9 | −52.4 | −62.4 | −62.4 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 18.0 (0.71) |
17.2 (0.68) |
11.3 (0.44) |
11.1 (0.44) |
20.5 (0.81) |
35.8 (1.41) |
49.0 (1.93) |
52.5 (2.07) |
33.9 (1.33) |
23.5 (0.93) |
27.2 (1.07) |
21.6 (0.85) |
321.6 (12.66) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.2 (0.01) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.4 (0.02) |
1.3 (0.05) |
11.6 (0.46) |
35.7 (1.41) |
46.4 (1.83) |
49.1 (1.93) |
23.9 (0.94) |
3.3 (0.13) |
0.1 (0.00) |
0.0 (0.0) |
171.9 (6.77) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 22.7 (8.9) |
21.7 (8.5) |
15.8 (6.2) |
14.2 (5.6) |
7.5 (3.0) |
0.4 (0.2) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.0) |
6.4 (2.5) |
24.8 (9.8) |
27.5 (10.8) |
24.8 (9.8) |
165.8 (65.3) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 12.8 | 11.9 | 10.9 | 7.4 | 8.3 | 10.7 | 13.5 | 14.8 | 13.4 | 14.2 | 15.4 | 14.1 | 147.3 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.17 | 0.04 | 0.21 | 0.92 | 4.8 | 9.6 | 12.0 | 12.1 | 9.9 | 2.5 | 0.22 | 0.0 | 52.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 11.8 | 11.3 | 10.5 | 6.7 | 3.1 | 0.16 | 0.0 | 0.08 | 3.3 | 12.4 | 13.6 | 12.4 | 85.3 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) | 67.1 | 62.5 | 53.0 | 50.8 | 45.2 | 44.2 | 50.2 | 56.2 | 61.5 | 75.3 | 75.0 | 69.6 | 59.2 |
| Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (1991-2020 climate normals)[25] (July Maximum temperature)[27] | |||||||||||||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Norman Wells". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
- ^ a b c "NWT Communities - Norman Wells". Government of the Northwest Territories: Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Northwest Territories". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- ^ "Northwest Territories Official Community Names and Pronunciation Guide". Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. Yellowknife: Education, Culture and Employment, Government of the Northwest Territories. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 16 July 2020 to 0901Z 10 September 2020.
- ^ a b c Norman Wells - Statistical Profile at the GNWT
- ^ a b c d e f "Norman Wells profile". Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Census Profile, 2016 Census Norman Wells, Town [Census subdivision], Northwest Territories and Northwest Territories [Territory]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ "1981 Census of Canada: Census subdivisions in decreasing population order" (PDF). Statistics Canada. May 1992. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "1986 Census: Population - Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions" (PDF). Statistics Canada. September 1987. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ "91 Census: Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions - Population and Dwelling Counts" (PDF). Statistics Canada. April 1992. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ "96 Census: A National Overview - Population and Dwelling Counts" (PDF). Statistics Canada. April 1997. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ "Population and Dwelling Count Amendments". Statistics Canada. 4 July 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Northwest Territories)". Statistics Canada. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Northwest Territories)". Statistics Canada. 25 July 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ Population Estimates By Community from the GNWT
- ^ Jolles, Wim; Tiffin, Scott (1 May 2013). "An Arctic Energy Gateway for Alberta". p. 23. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "Great Slave Heli/Discovery Air/Sahtu Helicopters".
- ^ a b "Infrastructure" (PDF).
- ^ Doing Business in Norman Wells
- ^ "Sahtu Divisional Education Council".
- ^ Community Groups
- ^ "Mackenzie Mountain School at the SDEC".
- ^ Official school site
- ^ a b c "Canadian Climate Normals 1991-2020 Data - Norman Wells A". Environment and Climate Change Canada. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "Wind chill hazards". 2 June 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Norman Wells Climate". Daily Data Report for July 2023. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 27 June 2024. Climate ID: 2202810. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
External links
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