Shuswap River facts for kids

The Shuswap River (say it like "SHOO-shwap") is a cool river in British Columbia, Canada. It starts high up in the central Monashee Mountains and flows into the famous Shuswap Lake. This river is a big part of the water system that also includes the South Thompson River. The area that drains into the Shuswap River is huge, covering more than 1,969 square kilometres (760 sq mi)!

Exploring the Shuswap River

The Shuswap River has three main parts.

• The first part begins at Joss Pass, which is in the northern part of the Sawtooth Range of the Monashees. It flows into Sugar Lake.
• The next part of the river winds south from Sugar Lake, then turns north again before reaching Mabel Lake. Mabel Lake is a large mountain lake, much like other lakes in British Columbia such as Shuswap Lake and Adams Lake.
• The last part of the river flows west from Mabel Lake towards the town of Enderby. After Enderby, the Shuswap River empties into Mara Lake.

Mara Lake is connected to the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake by a narrow channel called Sicamous Narrows, near Sicamous. From there, the water flows through a short, canal-like river called the Little Shuswap River into Little Shuswap Lake. At the end of Little Shuswap Lake is the town of Chase, which is where the South Thompson River begins.

A smaller stream, called Wap Creek, also flows into the Shuswap River.

A Look Back: History of the Shuswap River

The Shuswap River has a long and interesting history of being used for travel and moving goods.

Log Drives and Paddlewheelers

Years ago, "log drives" were a yearly event. During the spring, when the water was high, logs were sent floating down the river from Mabel Lake. They would travel to many lumber mills located along the riverbanks in towns like Enderby, Grindrod, and Mara.

In the late 1800s, big boats called paddlewheelers carried goods and people up the Shuswap River from Mara Lake to Enderby. From Enderby, people would then travel by stagecoach to Okanagan Landing. However, these paddlewheelers often got stuck on shifting sandbars in the river, making travel very slow.

The Arrival of the Railway

When the Shuswap-Okanagan Railway opened in 1892, it changed everything. Trains were much faster and more reliable than paddlewheelers. Because of the railway, there was no longer a big need for paddlewheelers on the Shuswap River.

Fun on the Shuswap River Today

Today, the Shuswap River is a popular spot for outdoor activities.

Water Sports

Many people enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and tubing on the river. It's a great place to float along and enjoy nature.

Trails and Fishing

The Shuswap Hut and Trail Alliance is working on a cool project. They want to connect the Shuswap River waterway to over 280 kilometers (about 174 miles) of mountain hiking trails around Shuswap Lake.

If you like fishing, the Shuswap River is a fantastic place to go, especially during the annual Salmon Run. This happens in late August and early September when salmon swim upstream to lay their eggs. Also, the Annual Kayak Rodeo is held at the beginning of June at the Kingfisher Rapids near Mabel Lake. It's a fun event where kayakers show off their skills!