Wabowden

Wabowden is a community in northern Manitoba, Canada. It is situated on Provincial Trunk Highway No. 6, which is the main route between Thompson and the provincial capital, Winnipeg.

Wabowden
Sign for Wabowden, Manitoba, Canada
Boundaries
Wabowden Location in Manitoba
Coordinates: 54°54′32″N 98°37′47″W
Country	Canada
Province	Manitoba
Region	Nor - Man
Government
• MP	Niki Ashton
• MLA	Eric Redhead
Area
• Total	34.42 km2 (13.29 sq mi)
Population  (2016 Census[1])
• Total	442
• Density	12.8/km2 (33/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Postal code	R0B 1S0
Area code	204
NTS Map	063J15
GNBC Code	GBCTE
Website	Community of Wabowden

History

The community originated in the early 20th century as a service point on the Hudson Bay Railway. Although the railway's presence in Wabowden has diminished over time, it continues to serve the community by transporting freight and passengers.

Preceding station	Via Rail			Following station
Lyddal toward Churchill		Winnipeg–Churchill		Pipun toward Winnipeg
Former services
Preceding station	Canadian National Railway			Following station
Medard toward Churchill		Hudson Bay Railway		Pipun toward The Pas

Wabowden's name is derived from that of a one-time railway executive, W.A. Bowden.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Wabowden had a population of 400 living in 138 of its 175 total private dwellings, a change of -9.5% from its 2016 population of 442. With a land area of 30.36 km² (11.72 sq mi), it had a population density of 13.2/km² (34.1/sq mi) in 2021.^[2]

Climate

In spite of its latitude below the 55th parallel, Wabowden has a clear-cut rather than borderline subarctic climate.^[3] Its climate is dominated by its long and bitterly cold winters, but the short summers are relatively warm, keeping Wabowden well below the tree line.

Climate data for Wabowden
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	3 (37)	7 (45)	14 (57)	30 (86)	32 (90)	34 (93)	34 (93)	32 (90)	30 (86)	25 (77)	12 (54)	4 (39)	34 (93)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	−18 (0)	−15 (5)	−5 (23)	4 (39)	12 (54)	17 (63)	22 (72)	20 (68)	13 (55)	6 (43)	−6 (21)	−15 (5)	3 (37)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−22 (−8)	−20 (−4)	−11 (12)	−2 (28)	6 (43)	11 (52)	16 (61)	14 (57)	8 (46)	2 (36)	−9 (16)	−18 (0)	−2 (28)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−27 (−17)	−26 (−15)	−18 (0)	−8 (18)	0 (32)	5 (41)	10 (50)	8 (46)	4 (39)	−1 (30)	−13 (9)	−22 (−8)	−7 (19)
Record low °C (°F)	−46 (−51)	−44 (−47)	−37 (−35)	−30 (−22)	−14 (7)	−5 (23)	1 (34)	−1 (30)	−8 (18)	−16 (3)	−36 (−33)	−43 (−45)	−46 (−51)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	10 (0.4)	10 (0.4)	10 (0.4)	20 (0.8)	30 (1.2)	70 (2.8)	80 (3.1)	60 (2.4)	60 (2.4)	20 (0.8)	20 (0.8)	10 (0.4)	450 (17.7)
Source: [4]

Mining

Crowflight Minerals is currently preparing Bucko Lake Mine for rehabilitation. The mine shaft was developed in the 1970s by Falconbridge Limited.

Local media

• CBWMT (channel 10) (CBC)

Notable people

• Ernest Monias, musician