Brittain River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brittain River |
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|---|---|
| Native name | slhílhem |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Pacific Ranges Coast Mountains, British Columbia 1,157 m (3,796 ft) 50°7′29″N 124°7′26″W / 50.12472°N 124.12389°W |
| River mouth | Pacific Ocean Jervis Inlet, British Columbia, Salish Sea 0 m (0 ft) 49°59′50″N 124°0′34″W / 49.99722°N 124.00944°W |
| Length | 23 km (14 mi) |
The Brittain River is a beautiful river located on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia, Canada. It starts high up in the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains. From there, it flows for about 23 kilometers (14 miles) southeast. Finally, it reaches the Pacific Ocean at a place called Princess Royal Reach in Jervis Inlet.
This river is very special to the Shishalh people. They are the Indigenous people who have lived in this area for a very long time.
Contents
The Brittain River: A Special Place in British Columbia
The Brittain River gets its name from Rowland Brittain. He was British Columbia's first patent attorney and owned land near the river's mouth in the early 1900s. The Shishalh people have their own name for the river, which is slhílhem.
The Shishalh people believe the entire area around the Brittain River is very important. It holds great cultural and spiritual value for them. Many important cultural sites, ceremonial places, and spots linked to their legends and stories are found here. The river valley was also a traditional travel route for them, leading to Powell River.
The River's Journey
The Brittain River begins its journey at Arctic Lake, high in the Pacific Ranges. It then flows east through Doris Lake before turning south. The river travels through a valley that was shaped by glaciers long ago. This valley is surrounded by forests and mountains.
The river's mouth is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of the city of Powell River. About 5 kilometers (3 miles) upstream from where it meets the ocean, there is a waterfall. This waterfall is about 10 to 15 meters (33 to 49 feet) high. It makes it difficult for some fish to swim further upstream.
Amazing Fish and Wildlife
The Brittain River is home to many different kinds of fish. Historically, the lower 5 kilometers (3 miles) of the river supported anadromous fish. These are fish that live in the ocean but swim up rivers to lay their eggs. Examples include coho, Chinook, chum, and pink salmon. Steelhead and cutthroat trout also live here.
Further upstream, in the upper parts of the river, you can find non-anadromous fish. These fish live their whole lives in freshwater. This includes cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden.
Protecting the River
The area around the river has seen a lot of logging in the past. There have also been wildfires and mining exploration. These activities have changed the river's habitats, especially in the lower sections.
The Shishalh people believe the Brittain River is a good place to help fish and wildlife recover. They see it as an important area for future restoration efforts.
