North Thompson River

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North Thompson River
The Thompson River (6009932698).jpg
North Thompson River near Vavenby
ThompsonRiverBritishColumbia Location.png
Thompson River's watershed
EtymologyThe Thompson River was named by Simon Fraser in honour of David Thompson [1]
Location
Country Canada
Province British Columbia
Land DistrictKamloops Division Yale
Physical characteristics
SourceThompson Glacier
 • location Premier Range, Cariboo Mountains
 • coordinates 52°40′56″N119°40′25″W / 52.68222°N 119.67361°W / 52.68222; -119.67361 [2]
 • elevation1,675 m (5,495 ft) [3]
Mouth Thompson River
 • location
 Kamloops
 • coordinates
 50°40′55″N120°20′28″W / 50.68194°N 120.34111°W / 50.68194; -120.34111 [4]
 • elevation
339 m (1,112 ft) [3]
Length365 km (227 mi) [5]
Basin size20,000 km2 (7,700 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • location McLure Ferry [6]
 • average427 m3/s (15,100 cu ft/s) [6]
 • minimum39.2 m3/s (1,380 cu ft/s)
 • maximum2,740 m3/s (97,000 cu ft/s)
Basin features
River system Fraser River

The North Thompson River is the northern branch of the Thompson River, the largest tributary of the Fraser River, in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It originates at the toe of the Thompson Glacier [2] in the Premier Range of the Cariboo Mountains, west of the community of Valemount. The river flows generally south through the Shuswap Highland towards Kamloops where it joins the South Thompson River to form the main stem Thompson River.

Contents

For most of its length, the river is paralleled by Highway 5, and the Canadian National Railway (both of which cross the river a couple of times). The North Thompson passes by several small communities, the most notable being Blue River, Clearwater, and Barriere.

Tributaries of the North Thompson River include Pyramid Creek, [7] Canvas Creek, [8] the Albreda River, [9] Thunder River, [10] Mud Creek, [11] Blue River, [12] Mad River, [13] Raft River, [14] Clearwater River, [15] and Barrière River. [16]

The North Thompson's largest tributary is the Clearwater River, which joins at the town of Clearwater. The Clearwater River drains much of Wells Gray Provincial Park.

A notable feature along the North Thompson is Little Hells Gate, a mini-replica of the much larger Hells Gate rapids on the Fraser River. About 17.4 kilometres (10.8 mi) upstream from the small town of Avola, the North Thompson River is forced through a narrow chute only about 30 feet (9.1 m) wide, creating a rapid that resembles the Fraser's famous rapid. Many river rafting companies offer a variety of trips through the rapids.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thompson River</span> River in British Columbia, Canada

The Thompson River is the largest tributary of the Fraser River, flowing through the south-central portion of British Columbia, Canada. The Thompson River has two main branches, the South Thompson River and the North Thompson River. The river is home to several varieties of Pacific salmon and trout. The area's geological history was heavily influenced by glaciation, and the several large glacial lakes have filled the river valley over the last 12,000 years. Archaeological evidence shows human habitation in the watershed dating back at least 8,300 years. The Thompson was named by Fraser River explorer, Simon Fraser, in honour of his friend, Columbia Basin explorer David Thompson. Recreational use of the river includes whitewater rafting and angling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clearwater, British Columbia</span> District municipality in British Columbia, Canada

Clearwater is a district municipality in the North Thompson River valley in British Columbia, Canada, where the Clearwater River empties into the North Thompson River. It is located 124 km (77 mi) north of Kamloops. The District of Clearwater was established on December 3, 2007, making it one of the newest municipalities in British Columbia. It is near Wells Gray Provincial Park and is surrounded by the Trophy Mountains, Raft Mountain and Dunn Peak.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vedder River</span> River in Canada, United States

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Barriere is a district municipality in central British Columbia, Canada, located 66 km (41 mi) north of the larger city of Kamloops on Highway 5. It is situated at the confluence of the Barrière River and North Thompson Rivers in the Central North Thompson Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clearwater River (British Columbia)</span> River in British Columbia, Canada

The Clearwater River is the largest tributary of the North Thompson River, joining it at the community of Clearwater, British Columbia. The Clearwater rises from glaciers in the Cariboo Mountains and flows in a mostly southerly direction for 201 km (125 mi) to the North Thompson. Its entire course, except the last 5 km (3 mi), is within Wells Gray Provincial Park. Its confluence with the North Thompson is protected by North Thompson River Provincial Park.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Thompson River</span> River in British Columbia, Canada

The South Thompson River is the southern branch of the Thompson River, the largest tributary of the Fraser River, in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It originates at the outlet of Little Shuswap Lake at the town of Chase and flows approximately 58 kilometres (36 mi) southwest and west through a wide valley to Kamloops where it joins the North Thompson River to form the main stem Thompson River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clearwater Lake (British Columbia)</span>

Clearwater Lake is one of six large lakes in Wells Gray Provincial Park in east-central British Columbia, Canada,. The Clearwater River enters the lake at its north end, flowing from Hobson Lake and Azure Lake, and also drains the lake. There are several small streams that flow into Clearwater Lake, but it has no significant tributaries.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wells Gray Provincial Park</span> Provincial park in British Columbia, Canada

Wells Gray Provincial Park is a large wilderness park located in east-central British Columbia, Canada. The park protects most of the southern, and highest, regions of the Cariboo Mountains and covers 5,415 square kilometres. It is British Columbia's fifth largest provincial park, after Tweedsmuir, Tatshenshini, Spatsizi and Northern Rocky Mountains.

Barrière River is a tributary of the North Thompson River, one of the main tributaries of the Fraser River, in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It flows through the Shuswap Highland region north of Kamloops. Its name in Secwepemctsín is St́yelltsecwétkwe.

The Raft River is a tributary of the North Thompson River, one of the main tributaries of the Fraser River, in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It flows through the Shuswap Highland region southeast of Wells Gray Provincial Park. Most of the Raft River's watershed lies outside the boundaries of Wells Gray, except for some of the headwaters of the West Raft River tributary.

Moonbeam Creek is a stream in Thompson-Nicola Regional District in the Interior region of British Columbia, Canada. It is in the Pacific Ocean drainage basin and is a left tributary of the North Thompson River. The nearest communities to the mouth of the creek on British Columbia Highway 5 are Blue River 40 kilometres (25 mi) south and Valemount 50 kilometres (31 mi) north; the mouth of the creek is just downstream of confluence of the North Thompson River and the Albreda River, where the North Thompson River turns 90° right and heads south.

The Albreda River is a river in Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George in the Interior region of British Columbia, Canada. It is in the Pacific Ocean drainage basin and is a left tributary of the North Thompson River. The nearest communities to the mouth of the creek on British Columbia Highway 5 are Blue River 42 kilometres (26 mi) south and Valemount 48 kilometres (30 mi) north; the mouth of the river is at a point where the North Thompson River, arriving downstream from its source, turns 90° right and heads south.

Canvas Creek is a stream in Kamloops Division Yale Land District in the Interior region of British Columbia, Canada. It is in the Pacific Ocean drainage basin and is a right tributary of the North Thompson River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Albreda</span> Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Mount Albreda is a mountain located in British Columbia, Canada.

References

  1. ↑ "Thompson River". BC Geographical Names .
  2. 1 2 "Thompson Glacier". BC Geographical Names .
  3. 1 2 Elevation derived from ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model, using GeoLocator, and BCGNIS coordinates
  4. ↑ "North Thompson River". BC Geographical Names .
  5. ↑ Ministry of Environment: HABITAT WIZARD STREAMS REPORT
  6. 1 2 "Archived Hydrometric Data Search". Water Survey of Canada. Archived from the original on 24 December 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2013. Search for Station 08LB064 North Thompson River at McLure
  7. ↑ "Pyramid Creek". BC Geographical Names .
  8. ↑ "Canvas Creek". BC Geographical Names . Retrieved 2020-06-08.
  9. ↑ "Albreda River". BC Geographical Names .
  10. ↑ "Thunder River". BC Geographical Names .
  11. ↑ "Mud Creek". BC Geographical Names .
  12. ↑ "Blue River". BC Geographical Names .
  13. ↑ "Mad River". BC Geographical Names .
  14. ↑ "Raft River". BC Geographical Names .
  15. ↑ "Clearwater River". BC Geographical Names .
  16. ↑ "Barrière River". BC Geographical Names .
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