Sechelt Inlet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sechelt Inlet |
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 Sechelt Inlet
Location in British Columbia
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| Location | Sunshine Coast, British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 49°37′46″N 123°45′46″W / 49.62944°N 123.76278°W |
| Type | Fjord |
| Etymology | Named for the Shishalh people |
| Part of | Salish Sea |
| Primary inflows | Salmon Inlet, Narrows Inlet |
| Primary outflows | Jervis Inlet |
Sechelt Inlet is a long, narrow arm of the sea, also known as a fjord. It is located on the British Columbia Coast in Canada. This inlet is very important because it almost turns the Sechelt Peninsula into an island. The only thing connecting the peninsula to the mainland is a narrow strip of land called an isthmus. This isthmus is less than 1.2 km (0.75 mi) wide and is where the town of Sechelt is located. The mouth of Sechelt Inlet opens into Jervis Inlet, which is further inland from the Malaspina Strait.
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What Makes Sechelt Inlet Special?
One of the most interesting features of Sechelt Inlet is near its mouth. Here, you'll find the Skookumchuck Narrows, which are home to the Sechelt Rapids. These rapids are incredibly powerful, almost like waterfalls, especially when the tides change. The water rushes in and out with great force.
What Are Skookumchucks?
Many fjords along the British Columbia Coast have similar rapids. They are often called "skookumchucks," which means "strong waters" in the Chinook Jargon. This was an old trade language used along the coast. These rapids happen because fjords often have shallow and narrow areas near their entrances. When a large amount of water from inside the deep fjord tries to flow out or in, it gets squeezed through these narrow spots. This makes the water move very fast. In Sechelt Inlet's case, the Skookumchuck Narrows are extra narrow, making the water flow even more powerfully than in other places.
Side Inlets of Sechelt
Sechelt Inlet has two smaller inlets branching off it:
- Salmon Inlet: This inlet is about 23 km (14 mi) long. It starts near a small power dam at the mouth of the Clowhom River.
- Narrows Inlet: This inlet is about 15 km (9.3 mi) long. It begins at the mouth of the Tzoonie River and includes an area called the Tzoonie Narrows. Narrows Inlet joins the main Sechelt Inlet just inside the Skookumchuck Narrows.
Marine Life in the Inlet
Sechelt Inlet is also known for its marine visitors. For example, from early April to late September in 2007, more than 200 Pacific white-sided dolphins lived in the inlet. These friendly mammals seemed to enjoy interacting with people who came to watch them.
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