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Kechika River facts for kids

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Kechika River
Kechika River is located in British Columbia
Kechika River
Location of Kechika River in BC
Country Canada
State British Columbia
Physical characteristics
Main source Sifton Ranges
Near Sifton Pass
1,962 m (6,437 ft)
57°51′41″N 126°18′08″W / 57.86139°N 126.30222°W / 57.86139; -126.30222
River mouth Liard River
Fireside, British Columbia
484 m (1,588 ft)
59°37′34″N 127°08′39″W / 59.62611°N 127.14417°W / 59.62611; -127.14417
Length 230 km (140 mi)
Basin features
Basin size 22,700 km2 (8,800 sq mi)
Tributaries
  • Left:
    Frog River, Turnagain River, Deadwood River
  • Right:
    Gataga River

The Kechika River, also historically known as Black's River, is a tributary of the Liard River, about 230 km (140 mi) long, located in northern British Columbia, Canada.

Geography

The river rises in the Sifton Ranges on the west side of the Rocky Mountain Trench near Sifton Pass. It flows northwest through the Trench before turning east to join with the Liard River near Fireside, British Columbia. The river drops approximately 1,500 m (4,900 ft) in elevation and drains a total area of close to 22,700 km2 (8,800 sq mi). The river winds its way through a wilderness area in the northern boreal mountains, including the Kechika Ranges (a subdivision of the Cassiar Mountains) and Western Muskwa Ranges (which are part of the northernmost Canadian Rockies), and forms part of the boundary between the Rockies the Cassiars in the portion of its course through the Rocky Mountain Trench, and winds through the Liard Plain in its lowermost, northern reaches. Along with a number of waterfalls and lakes associated with the river, landscape features important to wildlife such as mineral licks can be found along its course.

Ecology

The river is ecologically significant insofar as it remains largely undisturbed by resource extraction. It has been designated as a heritage river by the British Columbia government, conveying certain protections. Part of the river flows through the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area.

History

The first European known to have visited the river is Samuel Black in 1824. The river was originally named "Black's River."

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Río Kechika para niños

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