Rural Municipality of Barrier Valley No. 397
The Rural Municipality of Barrier Valley No. 397 (2021 population: 485) is a rural municipality (RM) in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan within Census Division No. 14 and SARM Division No. 4. It is located in the east-central portion of the province.
Barrier Valley No. 397 | |
|---|---|
| Rural Municipality of Barrier Valley No. 397 | |
 Location of the RM of Barrier Valley No. 397 in Saskatchewan | |
| Coordinates: 52°31′48″N 103°57′00″W / 52.530°N 103.950°W[1] | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Saskatchewan |
| Census division | 14 |
| SARM division | 4 |
| Federal riding | Yorkton—Melville |
| Provincial riding | Kelvington-Wadena |
| Formed[2] | October 29, 1917 |
| Government | |
| • Reeve | Wayne Black |
| • Governing body | RM of Barrier Valley No. 397 Council |
| • Administrator | Glenda Smith |
| • Office location | Archerwill |
| Area (2021)[4] | |
| • Land | 817.93 km2 (315.80 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[4] | |
| • Total | 485 |
| • Density | 0.6/km2 (2/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CST |
| • Summer (DST) | CST |
| Area code(s) | 306 and 639 |
| Highway(s) |  Hwy 35 Hwy 349  Hwy 773 |
| Railway(s) | Canadian Pacific Railway |
| Waterway(s) | Barrier River, George Williams Lake, Carps Lake |
History
The RM of Barrier Valley No. 397 incorporated as a rural municipality on October 29, 1917.[2] In 1924, the RM named a new Canadian Pacific Railway siding "Archerwill" using a syllabic abbreviation of councillors Archie Campbell and Ervie Hanson, and secretary-treasurer William Pierce.[5]
Geography
Communities and localities
The following urban municipalities are surrounded by the RM.
The following unincorporated communities are within the RM.
- Localities
- Algrove
- Dahlton
- Lightwoods
- McKague
- Wallwort
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the RM of Barrier Valley No. 397 had a population of 485 living in 216 of its 375 total private dwellings, a change of 12.5% from its 2016 population of 431. With a land area of 817.93 km2 (315.80 sq mi), it had a population density of 0.6/km2 (1.5/sq mi) in 2021.[4]
In the 2016 Census of Population, the RM of Barrier Valley No. 397 recorded a population of 431 living in 182 of its 308 total private dwellings, a -13.5% change from its 2011 population of 498. With a land area of 819.99 km2 (316.60 sq mi), it had a population density of 0.5/km2 (1.4/sq mi) in 2016.[8]
Government
The RM of Barrier Valley No. 397 is governed by an elected municipal council and an appointed administrator that meets on the second Thursday of every month.[3] The reeve of the RM is Wayne Black while its administrator is Glenda Smith.[3] The RM's office is located in Archerwill.[3] Until 1981, the RM's office was located in McKague.[9]
Transportation
- Rail
- Roads
- Highway 35—serves Archerwill, McKague, Wallwort
- Highway 349—serves Archerwill, Dahlton
- Highway 652—serves Archerwill
- Highway 773—serves McKague