Somass River facts for kids
The Somass River is a beautiful river located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It's an important waterway for the area, flowing into the Alberni Inlet and the harbour of Port Alberni. The river's entire drainage basin (the area of land where all the water drains into it) covers about 1,412 square kilometers (545 square miles).
The name "Somass" comes from the Nuu-chah-nulth language. It means "washing," which might refer to how the river cleanses the land or brings new life. The Nuu-chah-nulth people are the original inhabitants of this region.
Where the Somass River Flows
The Somass River begins when two other rivers, the Stamp River and the Sproat River, join together. From there, the Somass River flows generally towards the southeast and then south. Its journey ends when it empties into the Alberni Inlet, which is a long, narrow arm of the sea.
As the river gets closer to Port Alberni, it crosses under Highway 4. This part of the river is within the traditional territory of the Tseshaht First Nation. For several kilometers near its end, the Somass River is "tidal." This means that the water level in the river goes up and down with the ocean's tides, just like at the beach!
Images for kids
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Clutesi Haven Marina in the tidal area of the Somass River
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A snowy morning along the Somass
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A black bear at low tide
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The mouth of the Somass is in the middle-right of this aerial view of Port Alberni harbour
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