The Scotia River is a tributary of the Skeena River in the North Coast Regional District of the province of British Columbia, Canada. It originates in the Kitimat Ranges of the Coast Mountains, and flows north about 22 km (14 mi) to the tidally-influenced lower Skeena River,[4][6] about 20 km (12 mi) upriver from Port Essington, 47 km (29 mi) southeast of Prince Rupert, and about 75 km (47 mi) southwest of Terrace.[1]
| Khyex River | |
|---|---|
  Mouth of Scotia River | |
| Location | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| District | Range 5 Coast Land District |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Kitimat Ranges |
| • location | Coast Mountains |
| • coordinates | 54°1′39″N 129°33′10″W / 54.02750°N 129.55278°W[2] |
| • elevation | 330 m (1,080 ft)[3] |
| Mouth | Skeena River |
• coordinates | 54°10′14″N 129°38′10″W / 54.17056°N 129.63611°W[1] |
• elevation | 30 m (98 ft)[3] |
| Length | 22 km (14 mi)[4] |
| Basin size | 135 km2 (52 sq mi)[5] |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 19.5 m3/s (690 cu ft/s)[5] |
Its watershed covers 135 km2 (52 sq mi),[5] and its mean annual discharge is 19.5 m3/s (690 cu ft/s).[5]
Geography
editThe Scotia River originates in an unnamed lake fed by several small streams. The river flows north from the lake about 22 km (14 mi) to the Skeena River, just west of the Khtada River.[6] Its main tributary of the West Fork Scotia River.[7]
The Scotia River's watershed's land cover is classified as 62.5% Coniferous, 21.6% Herb, 19.3% Shrub, and 17.4% Barren.[5]
Natural history
editThe Scotia River mainstem and west fork support of runs of salmonids such as coho salmon, pink salmon, and steelhead trout. Between the river's source lake and the west fork confluence a waterfall limits anadromous fish passage.[7]
Most of the Scotia River's watershed has been repeatedly logged since the 1980s. In recent decades logging has focused on upland areas, using both conventional and helicopter logging. Logging roads have been built throughout the Scotia watershed and from the West Fork Scotia over a low divide to Carthew Creek, a tributary of the Ecstall River.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Scotia River". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ Derived using BCGNIS, topographic maps and TopoQuest.
- ^ a b Elevation derived from ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model, using GeoLocator, BCGNIS coordinates, and topographic maps.
- ^ a b Length measured using Google Maps path tool, BCGNIS coordinates, topographic maps, and TopoQuest.
- ^ a b c d e "Northwest Water Tool". BC Water Tool. GeoBC, Integrated Land Management Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Government of British Columbia. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Canadian 1:50K topographic maps" (map). TopoQuest.com. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Gottesfeld, Allen S.; Babnett, Ken A. (January 2007). "Skeena Watershed Fish Populations and their Habitat" (PDF). Skeena Fisheries Commission. Retrieved 26 July 2021.