Liard River, British Columbia
Encyclopedia
Liard River is a small community in northern British Columbia
, Canada
. It has a population of about 100 people. It is located at Kilometre 799 (Mile 496) of the Alaska Highway
, near the border of British Columbia and the Yukon
Territory.
Liard River received its name from the Liard River
, the large river on whose banks the town is located. The community lies at an elevation of 460 metres (1,509.2 ft), between the Terminal Range
of the Muskwa Ranges
(to the south), and Mount Ole of the Liard Plateau (to the north), immediately north of the Liard River Suspension Bridge on the Alaska Highway.
The Liard River area is home to Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park
. The hot springs have been used by humans for several thousand years as documented by oral tradition of the Peace Liard Indian
tribes, native to the region. There are two hot springs with water temperatures ranging from 42°C to 52°C; the nearest is the Alpha pool. Beta pool is beyond Alpha and is larger and deeper. A boardwalk, which leads to the hot spring pools, passes through a warm water swamp and boreal forest which supports rich and diverse plant communities as well as mammal and bird species. Moose can be seen feeding in the warm water swamps. Due to the lush plant life influenced by the warmth of the springs, the area used to be known as the "Tropical Valley".
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It has a population of about 100 people. It is located at Kilometre 799 (Mile 496) of the Alaska Highway
Alaska Highway
The Alaska Highway was constructed during World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada. It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon...
, near the border of British Columbia and the Yukon
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
Territory.
Liard River received its name from the Liard River
Liard River
The Liard River flows through Yukon, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, Canada. Rising in the Saint Cyr Range of the Pelly Mountains in southeastern Yukon, it flows southeast through British Columbia, marking the northern end of the Rocky Mountains and then curving northeast back...
, the large river on whose banks the town is located. The community lies at an elevation of 460 metres (1,509.2 ft), between the Terminal Range
Terminal Range
The Terminal Range is the northernmost mountain range of the Canadian Rockies, so-named for its position at the northern terminus of the Rockies. Lying west of Muncho Lake and the Trout River, its northern permeter is the Liard River...
of the Muskwa Ranges
Muskwa Ranges
The Muskwa Ranges are a group of mountain ranges in northern British Columbia, Canada. They are part of the Northern Rockies section of the Rocky Mountains and are bounded on their west by the Rocky Mountain Trench and on their east by the Rocky Mountain Foothills...
(to the south), and Mount Ole of the Liard Plateau (to the north), immediately north of the Liard River Suspension Bridge on the Alaska Highway.
Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park
Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. It is home to the second largest hot spring in Canada. The park is part of the larger Muskwa-Kechika Management Area. The community of Liard River, British Columbia is located nearby.-History and...
. The hot springs have been used by humans for several thousand years as documented by oral tradition of the Peace Liard Indian
Liard River First Nation
The Liard River First Nation, also known s the Liard First Nation is a First Nation in the southeastern Yukon Territory in Canada. Its main centres are Upper Liard, Yukon and Watson Lake, Yukon along the Alaska Highway...
tribes, native to the region. There are two hot springs with water temperatures ranging from 42°C to 52°C; the nearest is the Alpha pool. Beta pool is beyond Alpha and is larger and deeper. A boardwalk, which leads to the hot spring pools, passes through a warm water swamp and boreal forest which supports rich and diverse plant communities as well as mammal and bird species. Moose can be seen feeding in the warm water swamps. Due to the lush plant life influenced by the warmth of the springs, the area used to be known as the "Tropical Valley".