Coldwater River (British Columbia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coldwater River |
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Coldwater River near Merritt, BC
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Zupkios Peak Cascade Mountains 1,344 m (4,409 ft) 49°37′34″N 121°8′52″W / 49.62611°N 121.14778°W |
| River mouth | Nicola River Merritt, Nicola Valley 583 m (1,913 ft) 50°6′53″N 120°48′15″W / 50.11472°N 120.80417°W |
| Length | 95 km (59 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 917 km2 (354 sq mi) |
The Coldwater River is a cool waterway in south central British Columbia, Canada. It is the biggest stream that flows into the Nicola River. The Coldwater River joins the Nicola River in the city of Merritt.
This river drains a large area of land, about 917 square kilometers (354 square miles). The traditional name for the river in the native language is Ntstlatko, which means "cold water."
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Where Does the Coldwater River Start and Flow?
The Coldwater River begins high up in the Cascade Mountains. These mountains are located west of Coquihalla Pass. The river's water comes from peaks like Zupjok Peak, Llama Peak, Alpaca Peak, Vicuña Peak, and Guanaco Peak.
The river generally flows north for about 95 kilometers (59 miles). It then meets the Nicola River in Merritt. Some important smaller streams that flow into the Coldwater River include Midday, Voght, Brook, Juliet, and July creeks.
How Does the River Interact with Roads and Railways?
The Coldwater River flows under the Coquihalla Highway at the Kingvale Interchange. The Coquihalla Highway runs alongside most of the Coldwater Valley. Gas and oil pipelines also follow the river's path.
In the northern part of the river's journey, Canadian Pacific Railway tracks run along its banks.
Coldwater River and Indigenous Land
The river flows through two Nlaka'pamux Indian Reserves. These lands belong to the Coldwater Indian Band. The reserves are called Coldwater Indian Reserve 1 and Paul's Basin Indian Reserve 2.
What Lives in and Around the Coldwater River?
The Coldwater River flows through two different natural areas, called biogeoclimatic zones. These zones have different plants and animals.
In the higher parts of the river, it flows through the Interior Douglas Fir Zone. This area has many Douglas fir trees. As the river moves into the Coldwater Valley bottom, the area changes. It becomes the drier Ponderosa Pine/Bunch Grass Zone. This zone has Ponderosa Pine trees and lots of grass.
Fish Species in the Coldwater River
Many types of fish live in the Coldwater River. Several kinds of Pacific salmon are found here. These include coho, chinook, and steelhead salmon.
Other fish species that are not salmon also live in the river. These include bull trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish, and rainbow trout. You can also find longnose dace, redside shiner, and various types of sculpin.
