Clearwater, British Columbia

Clearwater, British Columbia
—  District Municipality  —
Country	Canada
Province	British Columbia
Regional District	Thompson-Nicola
Incorporated	2007
Population (2009)[1]
- Total	2,348
Time zone	PST (UTC−8)
- Summer (DST)	PDT (UTC−7)
Area code(s)	250
Website	[1]

Clearwater is a district municipality in the North Thompson River valley in British Columbia, Canada, 124 km (77 mi) north of Kamloops. The largest community in the valley, with a population of 4,960, Clearwater is predominantly employed by the forestry industry. Tourism is also a major industry, with Wells Gray Provincial Park just to the north. The park encompasses 5,250 square kilometres, with four rivers, six major lakes, and 39 named waterfalls, including Canada's fourth highest, Helmcken Falls. A municipal government was incorporated in December 2007.

Map of Thompson watershed

As a flag stop Via Rail's The Canadian calls at the Clearwater railway station three times per week in each direction.

Clearwater has two schools: Raft River Elementary with approximately 300 students and Clearwater Secondary School with about 225 students. Clearwater Secondary School's team sports are named The Raiders and include soccer, volleyball, and basketball. Currently they play in single A.

The Overlanders expedition to the Cariboo goldfields rafted down the North Thompson River in 1862. When they arrived at the mouth of the Clearwater River, they named it for its distinct clarity compared to the muddy North Thompson. The Overlanders also named Raft Mountain which rises northeast of Clearwater to a height of 2,450 m (8,038 ft).^[2]

References

1. ^ Cocco, Angelo. "2009 Sub-Provincial Population Estimates" (PDF). BC Stats: Business Indicators - December 2009: 2. http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/pubs/bcbi/bcbi0912.pdf. Retrieved 2011-01-27. 
2. ^ Neave, Roland (2004). Exploring Wells Gray Park, 5th edition. Wells Gray Tours, Kamloops, BC. ISBN 0-9681932-1-8.

Coordinates: 51°39′N 120°02′W / 51.65°N 120.033°W / 51.65; -120.033