Somass River is a
river
A river is a natural stream of fresh water that flows on land or inside Subterranean river, caves towards another body of water at a lower elevation, such as an ocean, lake, or another river. A river may run dry before reaching the end of ...
on
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is an island in the northeastern Pacific Ocean and part of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The island is in length, in width at its widest point, and in total area, while are of land. The island is the largest ...
, in the
Canadian province
Canada has ten provinces and three territories that are sub-national administrative divisions under the jurisdiction of the Constitution of Canada, Canadian Constitution. In the 1867 Canadian Confederation, three provinces of British North Amer ...
of
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...
. Its
drainage basin
A drainage basin is an area of land in which all flowing surface water converges to a single point, such as a river mouth, or flows into another body of water, such as a lake or ocean. A basin is separated from adjacent basins by a perimeter, ...
is in size.
The river's name comes from a
Nuu-chah-nulth
The Nuu-chah-nulth ( ; ), also formerly referred to as the Nootka, Nutka, Aht, Nuuchahnulth or Tahkaht, are one of the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast in Canada. The term Nuu-chah-nulth is used to describe fifteen related tri ...
word meaning "washing".
Course
The
Stamp River flowing out of
Great Central Lake
Great Central Lake is a lake on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is located north of Sproat Lake and to the northwest of the city of Port Alberni. It is long, with an area of and mean depth of , to a maximum of , making it the s ...
and
Sproat River join to form the Somass River, which flows generally southeast and south into
Alberni Inlet and the harbour of
Port Alberni
Port Alberni () is a city located on Vancouver Island in the province of British Columbia, Canada. The city lies within the Alberni Valley at the head of the Alberni Inlet, Vancouver Island's longest inlet. Port Alberni currently has a total popu ...
.
The river crosses Highway 4 outside of Port Alberni in
Tseshaht First Nation territory. Several kilometres of the lower course of the river are tidal.
Gallery
File:Clutesi Haven Marina on the Somass River in Port Alberni BC.JPG, Clutesi Haven Marina in the tidal area of the Somass River
File:Snow and mist on the Somass.JPG, A snowy morning along the Somass
File:Wild Black Bear (9376973789).jpg, A black bear at low tide
File:Aerial View of Port Alberni harbour.JPG, The mouth of the Somass is in the middle-right of this aerial view of Port Alberni harbour
See also
*
List of rivers of British Columbia
The following is a partial list of rivers of British Columbia, organized by drainage basin, watershed. Some large creeks are included either because of size or historical importance
(See Alphabetical List of British Columbia rivers ). Also includ ...
References
Rivers of Vancouver Island
Alberni Valley
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