The Elk River is a short river rising in the eastern portion of the Alberta foothills. The river begins south of the ghost town of Coalspur and heads east before draining into the Brazeau Reservoir created by the Brazeau Dam on the Brazeau River, a tributary of the North Saskatchewan River. The river follows the Elk River Road for much of its course. The Elk River Provincial Recreation Area is also located on the river.

Physical characteristics

Alberta Environment, a Ministry of the Government of Alberta, undertook a survey of the Elk River in the 1980s. The following data was generated from the survey: Reach number 1 Valley characteristics Valley Flat River Channel Reach number 2 Valley characteristics Valley flat River channel Reach number 3 Valley characteristics Valley flat River channel Reach number 4 Valley characteristics Valley flat River channel Reach number 5 Valley characteristics Valley flat River channel Reach number 6 Valley characteristics Valley flat River channel