Gitnadoix River | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | Canada |
Province | British Columbia |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | Kitimat Ranges |
• location | Coast Mountains |
• coordinates | 54°2′35″N 129°13′20″W / 54.04306°N 129.22222°W[2] |
• elevation | 840 m (2,760 ft)[3] |
Mouth | Skeena River |
• coordinates | 54°20′13″N 129°13′12″W / 54.33694°N 129.22000°W[1] |
• elevation | 15 m (49 ft)[3] |
Length | 38 km (24 mi)[4] |
Basin size | 546 km2 (211 sq mi)[5] |
The Gitnadoix River is a tributary of the Skeena River in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It originates in the Kitimat Ranges, and flows about 38 km (24 mi) north to the Skeena River, about 45 km (28 mi) west of Terrace.[4][6]
The name "Gitnadoix" comes from a Tsimshian word meaning "people of the swift water".[7] The Gitnadoix River watershed was home to the Tsimshian Gitnadoix First Nation, whose main village was located at the confluence of the Gitnadoix and Skeena Rivers. Today there are eight Tsimshian Lax-kw'alaams First Nation Indian reserves in the Gitnadoix River watershed, which represent some of the important fishery and homeplace locations.[5]
Its drainage basin covers 546 km2 (211 sq mi) of mountainous, glaciated landscape, with peaks reaching heights of over 2,000 m (6,600 ft).[5][1] The entire watershed is contained within Gitnadoiks River Provincial Park and Gitnadoiks River Protected Area.[8][9][10] The Gitnadoix River's watershed has never been subjected to any kind of industrial development. Its protected status prohibits forestry, mineral, and hydroelectric development. There are no residences in the watershed. A natural gas pipeline corridor passes through the watershed about 400 m (1,300 ft) above the river's confluence with the Skeena. The main recreational activity is sport fishing, mainly for salmon, steelhead, Dolly Varden trout, and cutthroat trout.[5]