Rivière Qui Barre is a quaint hamlet nestled in the heart of central Alberta, Canada, within the boundaries of Sturgeon County. This charming community is conveniently located just 1 kilometre west of Highway 44, and a mere 22 kilometres northwest of the bustling city limits of Edmonton. Founded in 1885 by French-speaking settlers, Rivière Qui Barre is steeped in history and culture. The hamlet's name, a French translation of Kipohtakaw, meaning “river that bars the way,” is derived from the Cree name of the nearby river.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Rivière Qui Barre is home to a population of 91 individuals residing in 36 of its 37 total private dwellings. This represents a significant increase of 506.7% from its 2016 population of 15. The hamlet spans a land area of 0.58 km2 (0.22 sq mi), resulting in a population density of 156.9/km2 (406.4/sq mi) in 2021. In the 2016 Census of Population, Rivière Qui Barre had a population of 15 living in 4 of its 6 total private dwellings, with a population density of 25.9/km2 (67.0/sq mi).
Despite its small population, Rivière Qui Barre serves as a recreation and education hub for this part of Sturgeon County. The Rivière Qui Barre Arena is a popular indoor ice hockey venue for the area. In January 2017, the Government of Canada announced a $200,000 grant for upgrades to the arena, as part of a series of infrastructure projects celebrating the 150th anniversary of Canada's nationhood. In March 2017, Sturgeon County further supplemented this with a $100,000 grant for renovations.
Education is a priority in Rivière Qui Barre, with the Sturgeon School Division operating the Camilla School in the hamlet. During the 2016–17 school year, the school served 470 elementary and junior high students from the region. In March 2017, the Alberta Minister of Education announced plans for a new Camilla School to be built by 2021, replacing the structure that was built in 1954.
