Swan River is a charming town nestled in the heart of Manitoba, Canada. Surrounded by the Municipality of Swan Valley West, it is a part of the Swan River Valley region. As per the 2021 Canadian Census, Swan River is the 18th largest town in Manitoba, boasting a population of 4,049.
Swan River is located in a valley between the Duck Mountains and the Porcupine Hills, close to the Saskatchewan boundary in west-central Manitoba. The town is situated along the Swan River, which flows into Swan Lake, 55 km to the north-east. The lake is believed to be named after the trumpeter swans that once bred near the lake.
The first European explorer to visit the area was Henry Kelsey in 1690. The first permanent European settlement dates back to 1770, when fur traders from both the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company established outposts along the Swan River. The town was officially incorporated in 1908.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Swan River had a population of 4,049 living in 1,825 of its 2,020 total private dwellings. With a land area of 6.81 km2, it had a population density of 594.6/km2 in 2021.
The Swan River Valley is a western extension of the Manitoba lowlands into the Manitoba Escarpment. The Valley is surrounded by escarpment features on three sides: the Duck Mountains to the south; the Porcupine Hills to the north; and Thunder Hill to the west. To the east is Lake Winnipegosis, a modern remnant of glacial Lake Agassiz.
The Valley is near the southern limit of the boreal forest in its transition zone to aspen parkland. Valley trees include white spruce, black spruce, tamarack larch, balsam fir, jack pine, quaking aspen, balsam poplar, and paper birch. Numerous peaty bogs and wetlands are present in the area, including hundreds of oxbow lakes of the meandering Swan and Woody rivers.
The climate of west-central Manitoba features extreme seasonal variation, with winter temperatures below −30 °C and summer temperatures above 30 °C. The town therefore has very distinct seasons. Most precipitation falls as rain in the summer or in less violent but more protracted snow or rainshowers in spring and fall.
The Town of Swan River acts as a hub for an area of approximately 8,000 people.
Swan River is home to a number of local, national, and international retailers and businesses. Major grocers include the Swan Valley Co-op, Extra Foods, and Giant Tiger. The town is also home to a number of restaurants and other retailers.
Swan River offers a variety of entertainment options including Star City Cinema, Up Your Alley Bowling Centre, Swan River Lions Skate Plaza, Swan Valley Credit Union Aquatic Centre, Centennial Arena, Swan River Curling Club, and Swan River Golf & Country Club.
The town is served by Manitoba Provincial Highways PTH 10, PTH 10A, PTH 83, and PTH 83A. Swan River Airport has no scheduled flights and is used by charter services, emergency flights and private pilots.
Swan River is home to the Swan Valley Stampeders, an ice hockey team, who play in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The town also has a six sheet curling rink and a junior Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool, the Swan River Kinsmen Pool.
Swan River hosts the annual Northwest Round-up and Exhibition on the last weekend of July. The event includes a parade, chariot and chuck wagon races, heavy and light horse shows, talent stages, concerts, dances, home living and school work exhibits, a midway, and the rodeo.
