Toad River facts for kids
The Toad River is a river located in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It flows through the beautiful Canadian boreal forest. This river is famous for its unique name, which comes from the many large toads once seen along its banks.
The traditional Indigenous name for this river is Tsal-eh-chesi.
Why is it Called Toad River?
The Toad River got its interesting name from early fur traders in the 1800s. They saw many large toads living along the riverbanks.
In 1831, an explorer named John McLeod from the Hudson's Bay Company traveled up the river. He wrote about the toads, saying some were "of immense size." He even mentioned seeing some that weighed over a pound! Local Indigenous people told him there were even bigger ones to be found. This is how the river became known as the Toad River.
Where Does the Toad River Flow?
The Toad River generally flows north and northeast. Its journey takes it through Muncho Lake Provincial Park, a beautiful natural area.
Eventually, the Toad River joins the Liard River. The Liard River is a large tributary of the Mackenzie River, which is one of the longest rivers in North America. The Mackenzie River then empties into the cold Arctic Ocean. So, the water from the Toad River travels a very long way to reach the Arctic!
The small community of Toad River, British Columbia is located near the lower part of the river. This is also where the Alaska Highway crosses the river, close to where it meets the Liard River. A part of the river also flows through the special Muskwa-Kechika Management Area, which helps protect the wildlife and environment.
