Historic Sites of Manitoba: Clearwater Railway Water Tower (Clearwater, Municipality of Louise)

An octagonal water tower in Clearwater, in the Municipality of Louise, is a provincially-designated historic site. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1910, its cedar-covered steel tank has a capacity of 181,840 liters (40,000 gallons) of water. A coal-powered boiler under the tank kept the water from freezing during cold weather. A ball above the tank indicates the water level inside.

The tower became obsolete when, in 1957, the railway converted to diesel power and no longer needed large volumes of water for steam-powered locomotives. It still provides water for the use of local residents.

Clearwater railway water tower with grain elevator in the background (1996) Source: George Penner Clearwater railway water tower with grain elevator in the background (August 2016) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.13226, W99.03713 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Glenboro Railway Water Tower (Railway Avenue, Glenboro, Municipality of Glenboro-South Cypress)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitoba Agricultural Museum (Austin, Municipality of North Norfolk)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Provincially Designated Historic Sites

Sources:

Clearwater Canadian Pacific Railway Water Tower, Manitoba Water Resources Branch.

We thank Ed Grassick and George Penner for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 19 October 2023

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