Cold River is one section of a series of rivers that begin at Primrose Lake in Saskatchewan and end up at Beaver River. Beaver River is a major tributary of the Churchill River, which begins in Alberta, flows across Saskatchewan, through Manitoba and into the Hudson Bay. Primrose Lake's outflow, Martineau River, flows into Cold Lake. Cold River flows out of Cold Lake at the eastern shore and flows east. Along its course are two lakes, Pierce and Lepine.[4]
After continuing east after Lepine Lake, Cold River empties into Lac des Îles. Lac des Îles' outflow is Waterhen River, which flows eastward into Beaver River. Beaver River flows north and meets the Churchill River at Lac Île-à-la-Crosse.
Access
The Big Island Lake Cree Territory[5] borders the south-eastern shore of Lepine Lake and the southern bank of Cold River from Lepine Lake to Lac des Îles. At its western end, near its source, is a small campground[6] and the start of the Boreal Trail.[7]Highway 919 follows the course of Cold River from its source to the east end of Pierce Lake at Howe Bay. At Howe Bay, there is a lodge and the 24-kilometre marker for the Boreal Trail. The lodge is accessed from Highways 950 and 919. Highway 21 meets 950 near the lodge.[8] Highway 950 then crosses Cold River between Pierce and Lepine Lakes then heads east towards Lac des Îles.[9]
