Goldstream River (Vancouver Island) facts for kids
The Goldstream River (called sʔə́ləq̕ʷtəɬ by the Saanich people) is a cool river found near Victoria on Vancouver Island, Canada. It got its name from a small "gold rush" that happened there in the 1860s. People used to call it "Gold Stream" back then!
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The River's Journey
The Goldstream River starts its journey from Butchart Lake. This is the first of three lakes that are part of the Greater Victoria Watershed Area. Soon after leaving Butchart Lake, the river flows into Lubbe Lake.
After leaving Lubbe Lake, the river enters Goldstream Lake. This is the biggest of the three lakes. Once it leaves Goldstream Lake, the river flows southeast. Then it turns north and enters Goldstream Provincial Park.
Just before reaching the park, the river gets water from Waugh Creek. This is its first big stream joining it. About halfway through the park, the river flows over Goldstream Falls. After the falls, it keeps going north. It then gets water from Niagara Creek, its last major stream. Finally, the Goldstream River flows into Finlayson Arm. This is a long inlet at the end of the larger Saanich Inlet, and it's still inside the park!
How the River Made Electricity
Long ago, around the year 1900, there was a power plant called the Lubbe Hydroelectric Plant near Goldstream. This plant made electricity! It used the force of high-pressure drinking water to spin a special machine called a turbine.
After the electricity was made, power lines carried it about 19 kilometers (12 miles) all the way to Victoria. This electricity was used to power the streetcars of that time. Streetcars were like electric buses that ran on tracks in the city. The old power plant building is still there today, but people cannot visit it.
Amazing Wildlife
Goldstream River and Goldstream Provincial Park are home to many different kinds of animals. It's a great place to see nature up close!
Salmon Life Cycle
One of the most exciting things to see is the Coho salmon. These salmon swim up the river to lay their eggs in late October and November. This is called the "spawning season." Many visitors come to the park just to watch this amazing event.
Birds of the River
You can also find many types of birds that live on the west coast. Bald eagles and seagulls are often seen near the river. They like to eat the salmon after the fish have laid their eggs and died. It's a natural part of the river's ecosystem.
The Green River Prank
On December 29, 2010, something strange happened at the Goldstream River. Someone poured a chemical called fluorescein into the water. It was probably a prank! The river turned a bright, glowing green color.
Health officials said that this chemical is not harmful. It is often used to find leaks in pipes or for some medical tests. A few people might have allergic reactions to it, but it's generally safe. No one ever found out who dumped the chemical into the river.
