Vedder River
Vedder River Chilliwack River | |
---|---|
![]() The Vedder River, in Chilliwack, BC. | |
Location | |
Country | Canada, United States |
Province | British Columbia |
State | Washington |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | Hannegan Pass |
• coordinates | 48°53′3″N 121°31′42″W / 48.88417°N 121.52833°W[1] |
Mouth | Sumas River |
• coordinates | 49°07′35″N 122°05′54″W / 49.12639°N 122.09833°W[2] |
Length | 80 km (50 mi)[1] |
Basin size | 1,230 km2 (470 sq mi)[3] |
Discharge | |
• average | 77 m3/s (2,700 cu ft/s) |
• minimum | 15 m3/s (530 cu ft/s) |
• maximum | 1,150 m3/s (41,000 cu ft/s) |
The Vedder River, called the Chilliwack River above Vedder Crossing, is a river in the Canadian province of British Columbia and the U.S. state of Washington.
The name Chilliwack comes from the
Course
Originating as the Chilliwack River in Washington's
Downstream from the Vedder Crossing Bridge, the Vedder River marks the boundary between
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Vedder_River_near_Chilliwack_-_1910.jpg/220px-Vedder_River_near_Chilliwack_-_1910.jpg)
The Chilliwack River was heavily used by the Northwest Boundary Survey of 1857-1862 as a means of accessing the 49th parallel north in order to survey and map the border between American and British-Canadian sovereignty. A number of the Chilliwack's tributaries cross the 49th parallel, including Liumchen Creek, Tamihi Creek, Damfino Creek, Slesse Creek, Nesakwatch Creek, and, from Chilliwack Lake, Klahailhu Creek and Depot Creek. Both American and British surveying parties established base camps on Chilliwack Lake from which they sent field parties through the Chilliwack drainage and east to the Skagit River drainage. In addition, the Whatcom Trail followed much of the Chilliwack River's course.[6]
Historically the Chilliwack River flowed north from Vedder Crossing, over a broad alluvial fan into the Fraser River. In 1875, heavy rains caused a log jam that diverted the river into two small streams called Vedder Creek and Luckakuck Creek, which caused hardship for the area's farmers. In 1882, a new log jam was deliberately created which caused the waters of several streams to shift course toward the west, flowing into the now-disappeared Sumas Lake. A freshet in 1894 caused this new course to become permanent,[7] and compounded on the devastating 1894 Fraser basin flood.
In the early 20th century, the diverted river was diked and channelized, and the Chilliwack River downstream of the Vedder Crossing was permanently diverted westwards into the Vedder Canal to
Recreation
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/VedderRiverCampsite.jpg/250px-VedderRiverCampsite.jpg)
The Vedder/ Chilliwack River is the only river in Canada that sustains navigable class III and above whitewater, making this river a popular year-round whitewater kayaking and river rafting destination. The sections of the river downstream from the Vedder Bridge at Vedder Crossing are very popular amongst locals for relaxing on the river banks, swimming, campfires and sunbathing.
The Vedder River Campground, operated by The Fraser Valley Regional District, is open from April 1 to October 31.
The Vedder-Chilliwack River is well known for its runs of chinook, coho, chum, pink and sockeye salmon in the fall, along with winter and spring steelhead fishing.
The 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games' rowing events were held on the Vedder Canal. Canadians Bobby Williams in single sculls, and Donald Guest & Lawrence Stephan in double sculls won bronze medals. Canada won the gold medal in eights rowing.
Major Tributaries
Tributaries in the United States
- Indian Creek
- Bear Creek
- Little Chilliwack River
Tributaries in Canada
- Centre Creek
- Nesakwatch Creek
- Foley Creek
- Chipmunk Creek
- Slesse Creek
- Tamihi Creek
- Liumchen Creek
- Sweltzer River
External links
See also
References
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Chilliwack River
- ^ a b "Vedder River". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ About the Chilliwack River Watershed, Chilliwack River Habitat Atlas
- ^ a b "Chilliwack River". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ Waterfalls of the Northwest: Chilliwack Falls
- ISBN 0-87595-243-7.
- ^ River Diversion, Chilliwack Museum and Archives
- ^ Draining the Lake, Chilliwack Museum and Archives
- ISBN 978-1-887201-13-1. online at Google Books
- ^ "Chilliwack Creek". BC Geographical Names.