Cariboo River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cariboo River |
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Cariboo Mountains Cariboo 2,012 m (6,601 ft) 53°2′20″N 120°29′50″W / 53.03889°N 120.49722°W |
| River mouth | Quesnel River Quesnel Forks, Cariboo 642 m (2,106 ft) 52°39′45″N 121°40′32″W / 52.66250°N 121.67556°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 3,260 km2 (1,260 sq mi) |
| Tributaries |
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The Cariboo River is a cool river in British Columbia, Canada. It's like a smaller stream that flows into a bigger one called the Quesnel River. The Quesnel River then joins the really big Fraser River! The Cariboo River flows through a beautiful area called the Cariboo region. This area is southeast of a city called Prince George. A long time ago, the part of the river above Cariboo Lake was known as the Swamp River. But in 1936, its name was officially changed to Cariboo River, just like Cariboo Lake.
Where Does the Cariboo River Start and Go?
The Cariboo River begins high up in the Cariboo Mountains. Its water comes from many large ice fields, which are like huge, frozen patches of ice.
The River's Journey Through Parks and Lakes
As the river flows, it generally moves west. It picks up water from many smaller streams along the way. Many of these streams also get their water from ice fields.
The Cariboo River then enters Bowron Lake Provincial Park. Here, another river called the Isaac River joins it from the north. After this, the Cariboo River gets wider and forms a lake called Lanezi Lake. This lake is south of a mountain range called the Mowdish Range.
At the western end of Lanezi Lake, the water flows into Sandy Lake. From Sandy Lake, the Cariboo River first flows northwest, then suddenly turns south. It then leaves Bowron Lake Provincial Park.
Joining Other Rivers and Reaching Its End
Further along its path, the Matthew River joins the Cariboo River from the east. Even farther south, the Little River also joins from the east. After these rivers join, the Cariboo River flows through Cariboo Lake.
A special area called Cariboo River Provincial Park is located in the river valley north of Cariboo Lake. The Cariboo River flows south from Cariboo Lake. Then it turns west and finally empties into the Quesnel River at a place called Quesnel Forks. This spot is northwest of Likely.
