Portland Inlet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Portland Inlet |
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Looking north across the mouth of Portland Inlet toward Wales Island
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 Portland Inlet
Location in British Columbia
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| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Coordinates | 54°50′51″N 130°12′55″W / 54.84750°N 130.21528°W |
| Type | Inlet |
| Ocean/sea sources | Pacific Ocean |
Portland Inlet is a large arm of the Pacific Ocean. You can find it on the northern coast of British Columbia, Canada. It's about 55 kilometers (34 miles) north of a city called Prince Rupert. This inlet is a really important waterway in the region.
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Portland Inlet: A Coastal Waterway
Portland Inlet is a type of inlet that connects to the Pacific Ocean. It's like a long, narrow arm of the sea that reaches into the land. This area is known for its beautiful and rugged coastline.
Where is Portland Inlet Located?
Portland Inlet is part of the British Columbia Coast. It joins a larger body of water called Chatham Sound. This connection is right across from the Dixon Entrance, which is a major waterway. The inlet is an important part of the coastal geography of British Columbia.
How Big is Portland Inlet?
This inlet is quite large! It stretches for about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in length. At its widest point, Portland Inlet can be as much as 13 kilometers (8 miles) across. It's a significant size for a coastal inlet.
What Waters Flow into Portland Inlet?
Many other waterways flow into Portland Inlet. It collects water from several important areas. These include:
- The Portland Canal
- Nass Bay, which is where the Nass River empties out
- Khutzeymateen Inlet
- Other smaller streams and channels
Two other major arms of the inlet are Observatory Inlet and its eastern part, known as Alice Arm.
Islands in Portland Inlet
You can find a few islands within Portland Inlet. The main islands located here are Pearse Island and Somerville Island. These islands add to the natural beauty and geography of the inlet.
How Portland Inlet Got its Name
The area around Portland Inlet was first mapped in 1793. This was done by the Vancouver Expedition, led by Captain George Vancouver. He first named it Brown Inlet. However, Captain Vancouver later changed the name to Portland Inlet. He did this to honor the British House of Portland, a noble family in Britain.
