Powell River (British Columbia)
| Powell River | |
|---|---|
 Aerial photograph of Powell River | |
  Mouth of Powell River | |
| Location | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| District | New Westminster Land District |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | Powell River |
• location | Strait of Georgia |
• coordinates | 49°52′32″N 124°33′35″W / 49.87556°N 124.55972°W[1] |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft)[2] |
The Powell River is a river in the northern Sunshine Coast region of British Columbia, Canada, that flows a short distance through the eponymous city of Powell River, British Columbia to enter the Salish Sea.[1] It is one of the shortest rivers in the world, measuring 500 metres (1,600 ft) in length.[3]
Name origin
The English namesake is believed to be Israel Wood Powell, also the namesake of nearby Powell Lake and the city of Powell River.[1] Powell was a medical doctor and educator who was a veteran of the Cariboo Gold Rush, and also Commissioner for Indian Affairs for British Columbia from 1873 to 1881.[1] The city has recognized Powell as the namesake for the city and nearby geographic features since at least 1946, when Powell's daughters presented a portrait of their father to a local high schools[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Powell River (river)". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ Elevation derived from ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model, using GeoLocator, BCGNIS coordinates, and topographic maps.
- ^ "Did you know? Five river facts to get you into the flow of Canadian Rivers Day". World Wildlife Foundation. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ "Community History". qathet Museum and Archives. Retrieved 10 August 2025.