Dease River facts for kids
The Dease River is a river in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. It's a branch, or "tributary," of the larger Liard River. The Dease River starts from Dease Lake, but its true beginning is in a smaller stream called Little Dease Creek, near Snow Peak. This is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of Dease Lake.
The river flows for about 265 kilometers (165 miles) generally towards the northeast. It eventually joins the Liard River near a place called Lower Post. Many parts of the Dease River run alongside the Cassiar Highway. This makes it a popular spot for people who enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and rafting.
Quick facts for kids Dease River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Little Dease Creek at Snow Peak |
| River mouth | Liard River |
| Length | 265 km (165 mi) |
A River with History
The area around the Dease River has a very interesting past. It's especially important to the Tahltan and Kaska First Nations people. These Indigenous groups have lived along the river for a very long time and continue to do so today.
Early Explorers
The first European known to visit the Dease River was John McLeod. He was an explorer and fur trader for the Hudson's Bay Company. This company was very important in Canada's early history, trading animal furs. McLeod visited the river in August 1831. He named it after Peter Warren Dease, who was a high-ranking manager (called a "Chief Factor") for the Hudson's Bay Company in the Mackenzie River area.
In 1837, another fur trader named Robert Campbell set up a trading post for the Hudson's Bay Company at Dease Lake. Today, the community of Dease Lake has about 650 people. It's the main town in the area where the river's water collects.
In Stories
The Dease River even appears in fiction! In a short story by Jack London called "Love of Life," the main character is trying to reach "the river Dease." He has a secret stash of food and supplies hidden there.
See also
In Spanish: Río Dease para niños
