Moyie River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moyie River |
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Moyie River at Eastport, Idaho
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Location of the mouth of the Moyie River in Idaho
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| Country | United States, Canada |
| State | Idaho |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Kootenay River Moyie Springs, Idaho 1,768 ft (539 m) 48°59′59″N 116°10′51″W / 48.99972°N 116.18083°W |
| Length | 92 mi (148 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 208 sq mi (540 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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The Moyie River is a 92-mile (148 km) long river. It flows through the U.S. state of Idaho and the Canadian province of British Columbia. The Moyie River is a branch, or tributary, of the Kootenay River. The Kootenay River then flows into the larger Columbia River. So, the Moyie River is part of the huge Columbia River system.
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Where the Moyie River Flows
The Moyie River starts in the southeastern part of British Columbia, Canada. It flows northeast and then east, gathering water from many small streams. After this, it turns south and enters Moyie Lake.
The river leaves Moyie Lake to the south. It flows past the village of Yahk, British Columbia, and Yahk Provincial Park. Then, it crosses the border into Idaho near Kingsgate, British Columbia, and Eastport, Idaho.
In Idaho, the Moyie River flows mostly south. It joins the Kootenai River near Moyie Springs, Idaho. This is a few miles east of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Close to where it meets the Kootenai River, the Moyie River flows over Moyie Falls. A dam called Moyie Dam was built near these falls in 1949.
Interesting Stream Names
The Moyie River has some fun and unusual names for its smaller streams, called tributaries.
- South of Moyie Lake, it collects water from Sunrise Creek and then Sundown Creek.
- Farther south, it gets water from Irishman Creek and then Englishman Creek.
- Near Yahk, Hawkins Creek joins the Moyie River. Hawkins Creek has two smaller streams that start in the United States and flow north into Canada: Canuck Creek and America Creek.
- There's even a town along the river with an interesting name: Good Grief, Idaho.
Following the River
The Moyie River is followed by roads and railroads.
- In British Columbia, the Crowsnest Highway runs alongside it.
- In Idaho, U.S. Route 95 follows it for a short distance.
- Railroads also run next to the river: the Union Pacific Railroad in Idaho and the Canadian Pacific Railway in British Columbia.
Most of the Moyie River and its tributaries in Idaho are located within the Kaniksu National Forest.
River Life and Nature
The Moyie Falls, located near the end of the river, act like a natural wall. They stop fish from swimming upstream to lay their eggs. Also, several dams on the Kootenay River block fish from moving freely.
However, there are special fish called Kokanee salmon living in the upper Moyie River and in Moyie Lake. These salmon were brought here in the 1940s and have made the river their home.
History of the Moyie River
The name "Moyie" has an interesting past. It comes from a French word, "mouiller" or "mouillé," which means "wet." Fur trappers gave it this name because the area was very damp.
- In 1808, explorer David Thompson wrote about the wet conditions. He called the river "McDonald's River."
- Later, Governor Simpson called it "Grand Quête River."
- Captain Palliser named it "Choe-coos River."
The name "Moyie" was first said as "moo-YAY," showing its French roots. But today, most people say "mo-YAY."
The Eileen Dam
In 1923, a dam called the Eileen Dam was built. It was also known as the Moyie Dam. It was located where Skin Creek flows into the river, about five miles upstream from Moyie Falls. The dam was built on weak rock. In 1925, a big flood washed away the rock, but the arch of the dam still stands today.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) notes that the Moyie River has also been called by other names, such as Methow, Mojie, Mooyie, and Moyea.
Fun Activities on the Moyie River
The Moyie River offers many chances for outdoor fun!
- You can go camping and hunting.
- It's a great spot for fishing and hiking.
- Some people enjoy gold panning in the river.
- For those who like adventure, you can go canoeing, kayaking, and white water rafting.
Right now, you don't need a special permit to float down the Moyie River in a boat. You can find information about how much water is flowing in the river from the United States Geological Survey.
