Nautley River facts for kids
The Nautley River is a very short river located in the central part of British Columbia, Canada. Its name comes from the Dakelh people, who call it Nadlehkoh or Nadleh. These names mean "Where the salmon return creek" or simply "(fish) run," which shows how important fish are to the river.
The Nautley River flows out of Fraser Lake and empties into the Nechako River. It is a significant waterway for the local Nadleh Whut'en First Nation community, as the entire river runs through their reserve land.
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The Nautley River: A Short Wonder
The Nautley River is famous for being incredibly short. It is only about 800 metres (2,600 ft) long. This makes it one of the shortest rivers not just in British Columbia, but also in the entire world!
Is it the Shortest River?
There is a friendly debate about whether the Nautley River is truly the shortest. Another waterway called Powell Creek (also known as Powell River) also claims to be the shortest. However, Powell Creek is technically considered a "creek" and not a "river" by official Canadian records. This means the Nautley River often holds the title for the shortest *river*.
Other Short Rivers
While the Nautley River is very short, it's not the only tiny river out there. Other short rivers include the Wannock River near Rivers Inlet and the Little River. The Little River connects Shuswap Lake and Little Shuswap Lake in British Columbia. These rivers show that even small waterways can be important parts of the landscape.
Location and Importance
The Nautley River is found in an area known as Nechako Country in the Central Interior of British Columbia. This region is known for its beautiful lakes and rivers. The river's connection to the Nadleh Whut'en First Nation means it has cultural and historical importance for the Indigenous people who have lived there for a very long time.
