Swiftcurrent Creek (British Columbia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swiftcurrent Creek |
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|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Swiftcurrent Glacier Mount Robson Provincial Park 6,294 ft (1,918 m) 53°09′21″N 119°18′06″W / 53.15583°N 119.30167°W |
| River mouth | Fraser River Mount Robson Provincial Park 2,615 ft (797 m) 53°00′46″N 119°16′22″W / 53.01278°N 119.27278°W |
This article is about a creek in British Columbia, Canada. If you are looking for a creek with the same name in Montana, USA, please see Swiftcurrent Creek (Montana).
Swiftcurrent Creek is a cool waterway located in Mount Robson Provincial Park in British Columbia. It's like a smaller river that flows into a bigger one. Swiftcurrent Creek is a "tributary" of the mighty Fraser River. It joins the Fraser River about 1.7 kilometers (1.1 miles) downstream from where the Robson River meets it.
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The Journey of Swiftcurrent Creek
Swiftcurrent Creek starts its journey at the very edge of the Swiftcurrent Glacier. A glacier is a huge, slow-moving river of ice. The "toe" is where the ice ends and melts.
From Glacier to Falls
From the glacier, the creek flows about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) to the southwest. Along this path, it passes through two small lakes that are fed by the glacier's meltwater.
After leaving the second lake, the creek becomes quite powerful. It then plunges dramatically down a steep rock face. This creates a stunning sight known as Swiftcurrent Falls. Even though it doesn't have an official name, it's one of the tallest waterfalls in all of Canada!
Flowing Towards the Fraser River
After the falls, the creek continues its southwest journey for another 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles). Then, it makes a turn and flows southeast for about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). This is where it eventually meets and joins the Fraser River.
For about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) of this southeast stretch, the creek bed is very wide. The main part of the creek flows right through the middle of this wide area. On both sides of the creek, there are some swampy sections. Some of the creek's water flows into these swampy areas before rejoining the main creek further downstream.
Where the Creek Meets the Road
The Yellowhead Highway crosses Swiftcurrent Creek about 0.5 kilometers (0.3 miles) before the creek joins the Fraser River. Interestingly, the creek isn't entirely inside Mount Robson Provincial Park. A short distance upstream from where the Yellowhead Highway bridge crosses it, the creek actually leaves the park's boundaries.
