The Athabasca River (French: rivière Athabasca) originates from the Athabasca Glacier of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. Athabasca Falls, located upstream about 30 km from the Jasper townsite in the national park, is noted for both its ferocious falls and the sound that they produce. This river has been designated a Canadian Heritage River because of its importance to the fur trade and the construction of railways and roads opening up the Canadian west.

The Athabasca River travels 1500 km before draining into Lake Athabasca in Wood Buffalo National Park. From there, its waters join the Mackenzie River system which flows into the Arctic Ocean.

Major tributaries include the following rivers:

• Clearwater
• Lesser Slave
• Pembina
• Sunwapta

In Cree, the word "Athabasca" means "grass here and there," and the Canadian Heraldic Authority has named Athabaska Herald after the river.

Gallery

Image:Athabasca river 2001.jpg|Athabasca River in Jasper National Park Image:Athabasca_at_Brule_Lake.jpg|Athabasca River at the mouth of Brule Lake Image:Athabasca Rail at Brule Lake.jpg|The Athabasca River railroad track at the mouth of Brule Lake Image:Athabasca_Falls_2005-06-11.jpeg|Athabasca River flowing into the linn at the Athabasca Falls Image:Green_Bridge_Fort_Mac.JPG|Highway 63 bridges crossing the Athabasca River at Fort McMurray, Alberta

Rivers of Alberta | Canadian Heritage Rivers

Athabasca (Fluss) | Athabasca | アサバスカ川 | Athabaska (rzeka) | Rio Athabasca