The Mighty Fraser Roaring At Its Headwaters

By 250 News

Yesterday’s sunshine and near-cloudless sky provided a stunning view of Mount Robson.  The highest peak in the Rocky Mountains is where the Fraser River begins its journey...

B.C.’s longest river stretches 1368-kilometre from its headwaters to its mouth at the Gulf of Georgia.

With the B.C. River Forecast Centre keeping a vigilant watch on river levels and communities throughout the entire Fraser Basin preparing for flooding, Opinion 250 went to the ’source’ of the problem.

The photo at right shows Overlander Falls on the Fraser River as it appeared on Sunday just before noon.  (The falls are located approximately two-kilometres east of the Visitors Centre in Mount Robson Provincial Park)

The photo below is taken from approximately the same angle last September, when a beach was visible to the left.  And, incredibly, a group of whitewater kayakers were paddling in above the falls.  Two brave souls did paddle over, while the rest chose to portage instead.

Yesterday’s photo shows an enormous increase in water volumes.

Several kilometres downstream at Rearguard Falls, the ferocity of the Fraser was once again something to behold yesterday.

Two large tree trunks look like nothing more than matchsticks being tossed about.

This bubbling cauldron did stop another fearless group from taking to the water.  As just beneath these falls, two whitewater rafting crews put in for what was bound to be an intense ride.

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