Elk River (British Columbia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elk River |
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Elk River near Fernie, British Columbia
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Upper Elk Lake Rocky Mountains 50°33′N 115°07′W / 50.550°N 115.117°W |
| River mouth | Kootenay River Lake Koocanusa 49°10′N 115°13′W / 49.167°N 115.217°W |
| Length | 220 km (140 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 4,450 km2 (1,720 sq mi) |
The Elk River is a long river, about 220-kilometre (140 mi) (137 miles) in length. You can find it in the southeastern Kootenay area of British Columbia, a province in Canada. The area of land that drains into the Elk River, called its drainage basin, is quite large, covering about 4,450 square kilometres (1,720 sq mi) (1,718 square miles).
The river's average water flow is around 60 cubic metres per second (2,100 cu ft/s) (2,119 cubic feet per second). At its highest, the flow has been recorded at 818 cubic metres per second (28,900 cu ft/s) (28,888 cubic feet per second). The Elk River eventually flows into the Kootenay River, which is part of the much larger Columbia River system.
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Where Does the Elk River Flow?
The Elk River begins high up in the Rocky Mountains, specifically from the Elk Lakes. This area is close to the Continental Divide, which is like a giant ridge that separates river systems flowing to different oceans.
From its source, the river travels through a region known as the Elk Valley. It flows generally towards the southwest. Finally, the Elk River joins the Kootenay River in a place called Lake Koocanusa. This meeting point is just north of the border between British Columbia and the state of Montana in the United States. Eventually, all these waters make their way to the Pacific Ocean.
Communities Along the Elk River
As the Elk River makes its journey, it passes through several towns and communities. These include:
- Elkford
- Sparwood
- Hosmer
- Fernie
- Elko
History of the Elk River
People have known about and traveled along the Elk River for a long time. In 1811, a famous explorer named David Thompson explored this river. He actually called it the "Stag River" back then.
Later, in 1854, another important person named James Sinclair led a group on a difficult journey. They crossed from the Kananaskis River valley into the Columbia–Kootenays area by using the Elk River. On maps made in the mid-1800s, the river was sometimes called "Elk River" and sometimes "Stag or Elk River."
Elko Dam: Generating Power
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The Elko Dam was built on the Elk River in 1924 by a company called East Kootenay Power Company. It's a special kind of dam known as a run-of-the-river dam. This means it uses the natural flow of the river to create electricity, rather than storing a lot of water in a large reservoir.
The dam is about 16 metres (52 ft) (52 feet) tall and 66 metres (217 ft) (217 feet) long. Inside its powerhouse, there are two large machines called Francis turbines. These turbines work together to produce 12 megawatts of electricity. The Elko Dam is located about 16 kilometres (10 mi) (10 miles) upstream from where the Elk River meets Lake Koocanusa. Today, the dam is managed by BC Hydro, a company that provides electricity in British Columbia.
Fishing in the Elk River
The Elk River is very famous for its fishing, especially for fly-fishing. Many people consider it one of the best places in North America to catch fish. The river is home to many large, wild fish, including cutthroat trout and bull trout. It's a popular spot for anglers who enjoy the challenge of fly-fishing in beautiful natural surroundings.
Protecting the Elk River: Environmental Concerns
The Elk River Valley is a very important area for mining. There are five large open-pit coal mines here that produce a lot of the world's coal used for making steel. However, for many years, the mining activities have caused some environmental problems.
Scientists have found increased levels of certain substances like selenium, phosphate, and nitrate in the river. These levels have been linked to the ongoing expansion of the mines. The amount of selenium, in particular, has been higher than what is considered safe for living things.
This selenium pollution has had a big impact on the fish in the river, especially the cutthroat trout. Some of these fish have shown signs of deformation, meaning their gills are not developing properly.
The company that operates these coal mines, Teck Resources, is aware of these issues. They are working on plans and strategies to manage the selenium pollution and reduce its effects on the river and its wildlife.
Tributaries of the Elk River
The Elk River has several smaller rivers and creeks that flow into it. These are called tributaries. Some of the main tributaries include:
- Fording River
- Michel Creek
- Coal Creek
- Lizard Creek
- Wigwam River
