II.

Description

The Peace was formed by the junction of two rivers in the Rocky Mountain Trench, the north-flowing Parsnip and the south-flowing Finlay. The completion in 1967 of the W. A. C. Bennett Dam raised water levels in the Parsnip, the Finlay, and the Rocky Mountains section of the Peace, forming Williston Lake, which is now considered to be the Peace's source. With an area of 1761 sq km (671 sq mi), Williston is the largest artificially created lake in British Columbia. The dam and lake provide hydroelectric power and flood control for the region.

East of Hudson Hope, the river passes south of the town of Fort Saint John. Augmented by several tributaries, including the Halfway, Beatton, and Pine rivers, the Peace continues into Alberta. At the town of Peace River, it is joined by the Smoky River and turns northward to Fort Vermilion. There it turns east again and is joined by the Wabasca and Mikkwa rivers. The Peace then flows through Wood Buffalo National Park and joins the Slave River shortly below Lake Athabasca, the Slave's source.

The Peace drains a vast area of about 302,500 sq km (about 116,800 sq mi). Much of this is referred to as the Peace River Lowland. On the western edge of this area, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains reach elevations of approximately 1000 m (approximately 3300 ft). Here the river cuts a gorge as much as 200 m (660 ft) deep. Near Fort Vermilion, where the elevation is approximately 300 m (approximately 980 ft), the river lies 60 to 70 m (200 to 230 ft) below the surface of the broad, gently sloping plain.