West Road River
The river is 280 km (170 mi) long, draining an area of approximately 12,000 km (4,600 sq mi), and dropping over 900 m (3,000 ft) before joining with the Fraser.
The river is of significant historical importance to both First Nations and Canadian history. For centuries, the Dakelh (Carrier) and Tsilhqot'in peoples used a trail—the so-called "Grease Trail"—on the northern side of the river in their trade with coastal First Nations communities. The name Grease Trail refers to one of the main commodities transported along the route—eulachon grease, a highly prized staple, traces of which coated parts of the route after centuries of use. It was this trail that Sir Alexander Mackenzie used in his historic overland journey west to the Pacific Ocean in 1793, traversing the river itself on his return. He named the river in 1793.
The West Road (Blackwater) River has been designated as a heritage river by the government of British Columbia.
The two major settlements along the river are the Kluskus First Nation and Ulkatcho First Nation (Alexis Family). Near the river to its south, on the Nazko, is the settlement of Nazko, a ranching community, the focus of which is the reserve of the Nazko First Nation.
See also
References
- ^ "West Road (Blackwater) River". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ Elevation derived from ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model, using GeoLocator, and BCGNIS coordinates.
- ^ "Blackwater River". British Columbia Ministry of Environment. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ "Archived Hydrometric Data Search". Water Survey of Canada. Retrieved 4 August 2013. Search for Station 08KD006 West Road River near Cinema
- ^ Akrigg, G.P.V.; Akrigg, Helen B. (1986), British Columbia Place Names (3rd, 1997 ed.), Vancouver: UBC Press, ISBN 0-7748-0636-2