Somass River is a
river
A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river. In some cases, a river flows into the ground and becomes dry at the end of its course without reaching another body of w ...
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 by ...
, in the
Canadian province of
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...
. Its
drainage basin
A drainage basin is an area of land where 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 (; Nuučaan̓uł: ), 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 fifte ...
word meaning "washing".
Course
The Stamp River and Sproat River join to form the Somass River, which flows generally southeast and south into
Alberni Inlet
Alberni Inlet (formerly known as Alberni Canal) is a long, narrow inlet in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, that stretches from the Pacific Ocean at Barkley Sound about inland terminating at Port Alberni. It was named by the Spanish e ...
and the harbour of
Port Alberni.
The river crosses Highway 4 outside of Port Alberni in
Tseshaht First Nation
Tseshaht First Nation is an amalgamation of many tribes up and down Alberni Inlet and in the Alberni Valley of central Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia. They are a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council which i ...
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 British Columbia rivers
References
Rivers of Vancouver Island
Alberni Valley
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