Cottonwood Canyon (Fraser River) facts for kids

Cottonwood Canyon is a deep valley carved by the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada. It is found in the central part of the province, in a beautiful area known as the North Cariboo region. This canyon is a natural wonder, showing the powerful force of the river over many years.

Exploring Cottonwood Canyon

Cottonwood Canyon is located west of the Cariboo Mountains. It sits along the Fraser River, just northwest of the city of Quesnel. The canyon is where the Fraser River meets two other rivers: the West Road River and the Cottonwood River.

Simon Fraser's Journey

The first European explorer to see Cottonwood Canyon was Simon Fraser (explorer). He traveled through this area on June 1, 1808. His journey was very challenging. When he tried to navigate the fast-moving water, one of his canoes got stuck. His team had to use ropes to pull the canoe out of the canyon. This shows how difficult and dangerous the river could be.

Challenges for Steamboats

Later, during the gold rush era, Cottonwood Canyon became a major obstacle. Steamboats tried to travel up the Fraser River from Quesnel to Fort George. They also went further up the Nechako and Stuart Rivers to Stuart Lake. The rapids and narrow passages in Cottonwood Canyon made it very hard for these large boats to pass safely. It was a significant challenge for anyone trying to travel or transport goods along the river.