Klinaklini River facts for kids

The Klinaklini River is a major river in British Columbia, Canada. It flows through the Coast Mountains and ends in Knight Inlet. In the Kwak'wala language, its name is Tsawatti or Tswawadwi. This name can also refer to the entire Knight Inlet area.

A community called Kleena Kleene is located along the river. Its name, like Klinaklini, comes from a Kwak'wala word. This word means "eulachon grease." Eulachon are small, oily fish that swim up coastal rivers. People make grease from these fish.

The Tanakteuk First Nation has a village called Tsawatti at the mouth of the river. This village is a very important place for fishing and preserving eulachon. It is used by many Kwakwaka'wakw peoples.

Where the Klinaklini River Flows

The Klinaklini River starts in small lakes on the eastern side of Hellraving Peak. This peak is in the northern Pantheon Range of the Coast Mountains. It is located north of Mount Vishnu and Mount Waddington.

From its source, the river first flows northeast towards the Chilcotin Plateau. Then, it suddenly turns northwest. British Columbia Highway 20 follows this part of the river's path. The river flows past the community of Kleena Kleene before entering One Eye Lake.

After One Eye Lake, the Klinaklini River turns west. Highway 20 continues north along McClinchy Creek, which is a smaller stream that flows into the Klinaklini. The river then generally flows south and west through the Pantheon Range. Many smaller streams join it along the way. For a short distance, the river widens into Klinaklini Lake.

Meeting the North Klinaklini River

As the Klinaklini River turns more directly south, another river joins it from the northwest. This is the North Klinaklini River. It is formed by water melting from many glaciers. The area around it has many glaciated mountains with interesting names. These include Monarch Mountain, The Queen, and The Throne.

Knot Lakes are also in this area. They flow into the North Klinaklini River and extend north into Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park.

Journey Through Canyons and Glaciers

After the North Klinaklini River joins it, the main Klinaklini River flows south. It runs along the western side of the Pantheon and Waddington Ranges. Along this part of its journey, the river flows through the Klinaklini Canyon.

Below the canyon, the short but powerful West Klinaklini River joins the Klinaklini. The West Klinaklini is made of meltwater from Klinaklini Glacier. This glacier is a large part of the huge Ha-Iltzuk Icefield. Tumult Creek, another stream, flows from Tumult Glacier into the West Klinaklini River.

After these rivers join, the Klinaklini River continues south. It flows through a wide valley until it reaches its mouth. This is where it empties into the head of Knight Inlet. It is located just west of where the Franklin River also flows into the inlet.

Streams Joining the River

Here are some of the streams that flow into the Klinaklini River, listed from its mouth upstream:

• Devereux Creek
• Dice Creek
• West Klinaklini River
  • Tumult Creek
• Hoodoo Creek
• Dorothy Creek
• Frontier Creek
• North Klinaklini River
  • Knot Creek
    • Knot Lakes
• Jobin Creek
• Colwell Creek
• Bussel Creek
• Ba'tiste Dester Creek
• Big Stick Creek
  • Big Stick Lake
• McClinchy Creek
• Chromiun Creek

See also

• In Spanish: Río Klinaklini para niños