Geography
The Cypress County landscape is dominated by a shortgrass prairie ecosystem.http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sag6303?OpenDocument Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development The land is flat to slightly rolling. The Cypress Hills region features mixed grasslands, wetlands and montane habitats. Major hydrological features include the South Saskatchewan and Milk rivers. Extensive coulee systems have formed adjacent to major rivers resulting in badlands terrain. Near Walsh, Alberta at lies the Badlands Guardian. Here the landscape takes the form of a head wearing a feathered headdress. The head is approximately wide and deep. This unusual geographic feature is a result of natural erosion of the surrounding prairie.Communities and localities
Climate
Cypress County has a semiarid climate with cold, dry winters and warm to hot summers. The winter cold is occasionally tempered by mild and dry chinook winds blowing from the west. Hot summer daytime temperatures are made tolerable by low humidity and rapid cooling in the evening hours. Maximum precipitation typically occurs in late spring and early summer.Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Cypress County had a population of 7,524 living in 2,658 of its 3,149 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 7,662. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021. In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Cypress County had a population of 7,662 living in 2,689 of its 3,222 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 7,214. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2016.Economy
Agriculture and the oil and gas industry are the primary economic activities within the county. Agricultural sectors include ranching, wheat and oil seed crops, irrigated alfalfa and other specialty crops. Irrigation water is supplied by the St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) and other smaller water co-operatives. Oil and gas production is extensive throughout the county. Natural gas is gathered through pipe networks and processed in gas production plants near Hilda.Attractions
* Bullshead Reservoir - Camping, Fishing * Cavan Lake Municipal Recreation Area - Camping, Boating, Fishing * Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park - Camping, Boating, Fishing, Golfing, Swimming, Hiking, Rodeo, Winter Carnival, Skiing (Water, Downhill, Cross Country) * Desert Blume Golf Club - Golfing * Golden Sheaf Municipal Recreation Area - Boating, Fishing, Water Skiing, Camping * Irvine Prairie Memories Museum - Local Historical Displays * Michelle Reservoir - Camping, Fishing, Boating * Murray Lake Reservoir - Fishing * Reesor Lake - Camping, Fishing, Boating, Hiking * Sandy Point Municipal Recreation Area - Camping, Fishing, Boating * Spruce Coulee Reservoir - Camping, Fishing, Boating * Cypress County Welcome Centre - Cypress CountyGovernment
Municipal
Cypress County has a Municipal Council of 9 elected Councillors. Councillors are elected by the eligible electors (Cypress County residents) who vote for a candidate in their electoral ward. Municipal elections organized by Alberta Municipal Affairs are held on the 3rd Monday in October every four years. Each October, the Councillors elect the Reeve and Deputy Reeve. The Cypress County Council (elected in October 2021) consists of: *Councillor Michelle McKenzie *Councillor Blaine Brost *Councillor Lloyd Want *Councillor Robin Kurpjuweit *Reeve Dan Hamilton *Councillor Dustin Vossler *Deputy Reeve Richard Oster *Councillor Shane Hok *Councillor Keith Ritz (elected in byelection February 2022)Provincial
Cypress County is served by the Provincial Electoral Division of Cypress-Medicine Hat and represented in the Alberta Legislature by UCP MLA Justin Wright (politician).Federal
Cypress County is served by the Federal Electoral Division of Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner and represented in the House of Commons of Canada by Conservative MP Glen Motz.Military
Cypress County is home to Canadian Forces Base Suffield. The base provides an extensive training area for both Canadian and British Armed Forces. Defence Research and Development Canada facilities are located here as well. Fire Services Cypress County Fire Services serves the entirety of Cypress County, excluding the city of Medicine Hat. They are a municipal paid-on-call fire department with 140 firefighters who respond to a yearly average of 250 calls for service. They have 9 fire halls located in Dunmore, Elkwater, Hilda, Irvine, One Four, Schuler, Seven Persons, and Walsh.Infrastructure
Transportation
;Highways TheMunicipal services
Cypress County provides municipal services through various departments. Services include agricultural programs, road maintenance, bylaw enforcement, land use planning, development advice and approvals, fire protection, recreation, street lighting, waste collection, recycling, water and sewer, emergency services, and family and community support.Education
Secondary schools
The Prairie Rose School Division #8 serves the needs of public school students. Schools within this district include Eagle Butte High School, Burdett School, Bow Island Elementary, Senator Gershaw School, Parkside School, I. F. Cox School, Margaret Wooding School, Irvine School, Schuler School, Oyen Public School, New Brigden School, Ralston School, Seven Persons School, Beyond Walls Alternative Outreach School and Elkwater Hutterite Colony and six other colony schools. The division office is located in Dunmore. The Medicine Hat Catholic Separate Regional School Division #20 serves the needs of Roman Catholic students. District schools located in Medicine Hat and Bow Island include McCoy High School, St. Mary's School, Notre-Dame Academy, St. Louis School, St. Francis Xavier School, St. Michael's School, Mother Teresa School and St. Patrick's School. Medicine Hat Catholic Separate Regional Division #20 (Official Site) The division office is located in Medicine Hat. Christian Education K-12 is provided by Cornerstone Christian School.Post-secondary education
The Medicine Hat College is a junior college located in Medicine Hat. The college offers university transfer programs, applied degrees and apprenticeship programs. Athletics include basketball, volleyball, and soccer.See also
* List of communities in Alberta * List of municipal districts in AlbertaReferences
External links
* {{Alberta, RM=yes Municipal districts in Alberta 1985 establishments in Alberta Populated places established in 1985