Maple Creek is a river in the south-west region of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The river is in the semi-arid region known as Palliser's Triangle. It begins in the Cypress Hills and flows generally in a northward direction and empties into the endorheic Bigstick Lake. The town of Maple Creek is the only notable community along the course of the river. Due to the generally dry and drought-prone conditions of the area, reservoirs were built along the river's course and in its watershed to ensure a stable water supply for irrigation. Two Important Bird Areas (IBA) of Canada cover much of the lower watershed of the river. Description Maple Creek begins at an elevation of over in the Cypress Hills in the RM of Maple Creek No. 111. The Cypress Hills are part of the Missouri Coteau, which is a large upland region along the continental divide. Most of the lower watershed of the river is protected by the Maple Creek Grasslands and Bigstick Lake Plain IBAs. From the Cypress Hills, Maple Creek flows northward through valleys and coulees where it is joined by several creeks before opening up onto the plains. The town of Maple Creek is along the course of the river and is located near the base of the Cypress Hills. Just north of the town, Maple Creek is joined by its longest tributary, Gap Creek. From there, Maple Creek flows into Junction Reservoir. Maple Creek continues northward from the reservoir where it crosses the Trans-Canada Highway. From the Trans-Canada Highway, it continues northward where it is joined by several small creeks, such as one that flows in from Bitter Lake, en route to Bigstick Lake. At the western end of Bigstick Lake, a restriction dam was built in 1974 by Ducks Unlimited Canada that created a marsh that covers an area of about 100 to 200 hectares. Highway 21 parallels the river from near its source in the Cypress Hills to its mouth at Bigstick Lake. An historic trail called Big Stick Trail ran between the town of Maple Creek and the South Saskatchewan River following Maple Creek for much of the route. The trail was notable for a large, solitary tree along the route. Tributaries Several tributaries flow into Maple Creek. From upper to lower watershed, the notable ones include: Flemming Creek Gap Creek Shaw Creek Cypress Creek Downie Creek McShane Creek McCoy Creek