Southwest Miramichi River facts for kids
The Southwest Miramichi River is an important river in New Brunswick, Canada. It is well-known for its beautiful scenery and its amazing Atlantic salmon fishing.
This river is a major part of the larger Miramichi River system. It flows through forests and hills, providing a home for many animals and plants. People also enjoy canoeing and fishing along its waters.
Where the River Starts and Flows
The Southwest Miramichi River begins in Carleton County. It starts at Miramichi Lake, which is located in the Miramichi Highlands. These highlands are part of the Appalachian Mountains.
The river actually has two main parts, or branches. These two branches come together near a small community called Juniper. From there, the river flows mostly southeast. It passes through thick forests and large hills.
As it continues, the river enters Northumberland County. Here, other rivers join it, making it bigger. The Taxis River flows into it near Boiestown. After this, the river turns and flows northeast.
Closer to the ocean, the river becomes tidal below a place called Quarryville-Renous. This means the water level changes with the ocean's tides. Finally, the Southwest Miramichi River meets the Northwest Miramichi River at Newcastle. Together, they form the main Miramichi River.
Why This River is Special
The Southwest Miramichi River is famous for its Atlantic salmon fishing. Many people travel here just to try and catch these strong fish. The river's clean, cool waters are perfect for salmon.
You can also explore much of the river by canoe. It's a great way to see the natural beauty of New Brunswick. Many parts of the river are easy to paddle.
Along the river, nearly every bend has its own special name. For example, there's a spot called "Push and Be Damned Rapids." These names show how important the river has been to people over time. They were named by fishermen, canoeists, and lumberjacks who worked on the river.
River Names
Sometimes, people call this river the "Main Southwest Miramichi River." This helps to tell it apart from the Little Southwest Miramichi River. The Little Southwest Miramichi is a smaller branch of the same river system, located further north.
The Mi'kmaq people, who are the Indigenous people of this area, had their own name for the river. They called it Lustagoocheech. This name means "good little river" for canoeing. It shows that they also found the river easy and fun to travel by canoe.
Tributaries
Many smaller rivers and streams flow into the Southwest Miramichi River. These are called tributaries. They add water to the main river and are important parts of the river system. Some of the main tributaries include:
- North Branch Southwest Miramichi River
- South Branch Southwest Miramichi River
- Taxis River
- Cains River
- Bartholomew River
- Renous River
- Barnaby River
