Nanaimo River facts for kids

The Nanaimo River estuary, where the river meets the ocean.

The Nanaimo River is a cool river found on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It flows close to the city of Nanaimo on the island's east side. This river is important for nature and for people living nearby.

Exploring the Nanaimo River

The Nanaimo River canyon, showing a railway bridge and a road bridge.

The Nanaimo River starts high up and flows east, then north. It eventually reaches the southeast part of Nanaimo Harbour. Along its path, the river has a really cool canyon. This canyon is a popular spot for exciting activities! You can even go bungee jumping there. It's also a well-known place for rock climbing.

The areas around the Nanaimo River are home to special forests. These include pockets of very old Douglas fir trees. These coastal Douglas fir forests are quite rare. In fact, they are one of the four most endangered ecosystems in all of Canada. The river is also a favorite place for people who love to fish. Many anglers think it's one of the best rivers in the country for catching steelhead fish.

Nanaimo River's Lakes

The Nanaimo River has two natural lakes, which are called the Nanaimo Lakes. Besides these natural lakes, there are also several reservoirs. These reservoirs are like big storage areas for water. They are used to create hydroelectricity, which is a way to make power using the force of moving water. This power helps light up the city of Nanaimo and is used for other important things.

Images for kids

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  The mouth of the Nanaimo River, where it flows into the sea.

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  The Nanaimo River canyon, with the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway bridge and a road bridge.

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  Jump Lake Dam, part of the river's system.