Mighty Fraser River
British Columbia’s Fraser River softly meanders toward the Pacific Ocean through the tranquil Fraser Valley. This is one incredible river and, in this case, looks are deceiving.
Running nearly the entire width of the province, the Fraser River is 1,375 km long, and with no dams to hinder its flow, transportation, industry, and fish migration flourish. Salmon use the Fraser to reach deep into BC from the Pacific Ocean navigating the seemingly impassable Hells Gate rapids.
Visitors encounter the Fraser River too. As soon as one arrives at the Abbotsford Airport one sees sturgeon fishing advertised in local media. This is a big business for local guides and a great opportunity for visitors. These Fraser River sturgeon are frequently caught in this same section of the river seen in this photo, and sometimes these ancient monsters reach up to 11 feet in length. During the recent catastrophic flood that hit the Fraser Valley sturgeon swam into the valley and needed to be relocated back to the Fraser River once the flood waters drained.
This river has global impact on commerce, as well. International trade depends upon reaching the mouth of the Fraser River with virtually all cars and goods from Asia destined for Canada reaching its banks. Some amazing tugboat operators keep ships moving along its banks.
The river helps to form the structure and relations between First Nations in south western British Columbia. Many First Nations maintain traditional territories along its banks, along with language groups, and cultural ties. Several First Nations have oral stories about encounters with Europeans. One such story belongs to the Musqueam First Nation who live at the mouth of the Fraser River where it enters the Pacific Ocean, about 60 kilometers downstream from where this image was taken. The Musqueam First Nation chased the first European explorer, Simon Fraser, back up the Fraser River in 1808. Ironically, a Kwantlen First Nations chief about 15 kilometers upstream along the Fraser River reportedly saved Simon Fraser’s life by providing intel on the impending attack of the Musqueam. Simon Fraser himself made the observation that one of the Musqueam’s longhouses on the banks of the Fraser River was a massive 1,500 x 90-feet in size. Another explorer, David Thompson, named this river to honor Simon Fraser.
The more I learn about this amazing river the greater my respect for what it accomplishes for people and for nature.
Mighty Fraser River
British Columbia’s Fraser River softly meanders toward the Pacific Ocean through the tranquil Fraser Valley. This is one incredible river and, in this case, looks are deceiving.
Running nearly the entire width of the province, the Fraser River is 1,375 km long, and with no dams to hinder its flow, transportation, industry, and fish migration flourish. Salmon use the Fraser to reach deep into BC from the Pacific Ocean navigating the seemingly impassable Hells Gate rapids.
Visitors encounter the Fraser River too. As soon as one arrives at the Abbotsford Airport one sees sturgeon fishing advertised in local media. This is a big business for local guides and a great opportunity for visitors. These Fraser River sturgeon are frequently caught in this same section of the river seen in this photo, and sometimes these ancient monsters reach up to 11 feet in length. During the recent catastrophic flood that hit the Fraser Valley sturgeon swam into the valley and needed to be relocated back to the Fraser River once the flood waters drained.
This river has global impact on commerce, as well. International trade depends upon reaching the mouth of the Fraser River with virtually all cars and goods from Asia destined for Canada reaching its banks. Some amazing tugboat operators keep ships moving along its banks.
The river helps to form the structure and relations between First Nations in south western British Columbia. Many First Nations maintain traditional territories along its banks, along with language groups, and cultural ties. Several First Nations have oral stories about encounters with Europeans. One such story belongs to the Musqueam First Nation who live at the mouth of the Fraser River where it enters the Pacific Ocean, about 60 kilometers downstream from where this image was taken. The Musqueam First Nation chased the first European explorer, Simon Fraser, back up the Fraser River in 1808. Ironically, a Kwantlen First Nations chief about 15 kilometers upstream along the Fraser River reportedly saved Simon Fraser’s life by providing intel on the impending attack of the Musqueam. Simon Fraser himself made the observation that one of the Musqueam’s longhouses on the banks of the Fraser River was a massive 1,500 x 90-feet in size. Another explorer, David Thompson, named this river to honor Simon Fraser.
The more I learn about this amazing river the greater my respect for what it accomplishes for people and for nature.