Squamish River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Squamish River |
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Looking northwest up the Squamish River valley
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Location of the Squamish River
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| City | Squamish |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Pemberton Icefield Pacific Ranges 4,248 ft (1,295 m) 50°17′48″N 123°53′19″W / 50.29667°N 123.88861°W |
| River mouth | Howe Sound Squamish 0 ft (0 m) 49°40′58″N 123°10′44″W / 49.68278°N 123.17889°W |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
The Squamish River is a big river in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It might be short, but it carries a lot of water! The area of land that drains into the river, called its drainage basin, is about 3,328 square kilometers (1,285 square miles). The Squamish River is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) long.
Where the Squamish River Flows
The Squamish River starts in the Coast Mountains, just north of Vancouver. It flows generally south until it reaches Howe Sound. The town of Squamish is located right where the river meets the sound.
The river begins at the edge of the Pemberton Icefield, which is a large area of ice and glaciers. As it flows south from this glacier, other rivers and streams that are also fed by glaciers join it.
River's Journey and Tributaries
About 21.8 kilometers (13.5 miles) southwest of where it starts, the Squamish River meets the Elaho River. The Elaho River is the biggest river that flows into the Squamish. It actually carries more water than the Squamish River itself at the point where they join!
After the Elaho joins, the Squamish River continues southeast for another 24.8 kilometers (15.4 miles). Here, it meets the Ashlu River, which is its second largest helper river.
About 16.4 kilometers (10.2 miles) further downstream, the Cheakamus River flows into the Squamish. Then, just 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles) more to the south, the Mamquam River joins in. From there, the Squamish River flows about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) until it reaches its end at the head of Howe Sound.
See also
In Spanish: Río Squamish para niños
