Bridge River Rapids facts for kids

The Bridge River Rapids are a powerful part of the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada. They are also known by several other names, like the Six Mile Rapids or the Bridge River Fishing Grounds. In the St'at'imcets language, they are called Sat' or Setl.

These rapids are found in the middle of the Fraser Canyon, right where the Bridge River flows into the Fraser River. They are about six miles north of Lillooet, a town in British Columbia.

What Makes Them So Strong?

The Bridge River Rapids are some of the most intense rapids on the Fraser River. They are usually too dangerous for canoes or river-rafting trips. The river gets very narrow here because of large rock ledges, which makes the water rush even faster.

In 1958, the flow of the Bridge River changed a lot. This happened because of the Bridge River Power Project, which redirected some of its water. Before this, during the spring melt (called a freshet), the two rivers would combine to create a huge "fountain" of water. This is why the area was once called the Lower Fountain.

A Place of History and Legend

The Bridge River Rapids are very important to the First Nations people of the area. According to an old legend, the trickster Coyote created the narrows. He supposedly leaped back and forth across the river to make a barrier for salmon and good spots for people to fish.

Important Fishing Grounds

This area is the most important traditional fishing site in the British Columbia Interior. Historically, during the main salmon runs, more than 15,000 people from many different First Nations would gather here to fish.

In the early 1800s, an event happened here that led to a war. The chief of the Lakes Lillooet insulted the chief of the Okanagan people, Pelkamulox. This led to Pelkamulox's death and a war of revenge by his son, the famous leader Nicola, against the St'at'imc people in the late 1830s.

Gold Rush Town

During the Fraser Gold Rush, a busy town called Bridge River grew up here. This name came from a toll-bridge built over the river in 1859. This new bridge replaced an older one made of poles by local Indigenous people. The town only lasted a few years. An easier way to cross the river was found closer to Lillooet, at a place called Miller's Ferry.

Protecting the River

In the 1950s, there were plans to build a large dam near Lillooet Canyon. This dam would have flooded the fishing grounds and stopped the salmon from swimming up the Fraser River. Luckily, these plans were stopped. Other large dam projects, like one at Moran Canyon, which would have flooded the Fraser River all the way to Williams Lake, were also abandoned.

Who Owns the Rapids Today?

Today, the Bridge River Rapids are part of an Indian Reserve. It is managed by the Bridge River Indian Band, also known as the Xwisten First Nation. The name Xwisten is the St'at'imcets name for the Bridge River.

The site is shared by different First Nations bands in the area. Some families have special, long-standing rights to certain fishing spots and campsites. However, fewer people from other First Nations in the Interior come to fish here now.

You can still see traditional pole-built fishing platforms reaching out over the narrow rapids. These platforms are perfect for catching salmon as they try to leap up the rushing water. You can also see fish-drying racks around the area. Wind-dried salmon is a local food specialty, as the area is very windy, so no smoking is needed to preserve the fish.

A modern pictograph (a rock painting) made by Saul Terry overlooks the main part of the site. It shows a sun-face with a mouth shaped like a salmon. This artwork is located on rock formations where the Bridge and Fraser Rivers meet.

People who are not First Nations members are not allowed to fish here unless they get permission from the Bridge River Indian Band. In the past, Indigenous people used spears and dip nets to catch the salmon, which are easy to see as they try to jump through the rough waters.