Water in the Thompson-Nicola Region

The rivers, rapids, lakes and waterfalls of the Thompson-Nicola region run through lush forests and mountains, and desert valleys

Rivers

Our rivers attract attention and fish. Kamloops, or Tk'emlúps in Secwepemc language, means "the meeting of the rivers", the North Thompson River and South Thompson River. These drain into Kamloops Lake, then the Thompson River which joins the mighty Fraser River at Lytton. The Fraser River, swooshing west of Clinton, and traveling down past Lillooet to Lytton, through desert canyons. The Coldwater River runs through Merritt and converges with the Nicola River, and varies in depth and width for optimum variety.  The Salmon Run at Adams River attracts documentarians, filmmakers and photo-journalists, as well as tourists from around the world.

Clearwater River

Mud River, Blue River

Thompson River near Kamloops

Rapids

Rapids for whitewater rafting and kayaking roll tremble in the Clearwater River near Clearwater, the Adams River near Chase, and the Thompson River, mostly around Spences Bridge to the Fraser River and Lytton. Commercial directors and tourists alike love to capture thrills in these hectic waters.

Bailey's Chute, Wells Gray Park, Clearwater

Thompson Rivers Rapids, Spences Bridge

Lakes

There are more than 3,000 lakes in the Thompson-Nicola region; the large ones being Kamloops Lake, Little Shuswap Lake, Clearwater Lake, E. Barriere Lake, Nicola Lake, Loon Lake and Green Lake, and many, many more. Some have communities on them and some lakes are isolated.

Kamloops Lake

Mud Lake, Blue River

Waterfalls

The Thompson-Nicola is home to Helmcken Falls, 3 times higher than Niagara Falls, and situated in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Vidette Waterfalls is famous for being dubbed the "Center of Universe" by Tibetan monks.

Wells Gray Provincial Park and Clearwater boast more than 39 waterfalls: Canim Falls, Dawson Falls, Deception Falls, Garnet Falls, Goodwin Falls, Helmcken Falls, Horseshow Falls, Majerus Falls, McDougal Falls, Meadow Falls, Moul Falls (with a cavern you can walk into), Osprey Falls (Clegera), Pyramid Mountain Falls, Raft River Falls, Rainbox Falls, Silvertip Falls, Spahats Creek Falls, Sticta Falls, Sundt Falls and Sylvia Falls, and we probably missed some.

Helmcken Falls

Moul Falls

Other water falls are the Chase Falls near Chase, the Nicomen Falls, just south of Spences Bridge off the Trans Canada Highway #1, the Murray Creek Falls in Spences Bridge, Peterson Creek Falls in Kamloops, Quilchena Falls on the Douglas Lake Ranch near Merritt, and Panberry Falls near Blue River.  We didn't even mention the small ones peppered through the Coquihalla Pass, along the old Kettle Valley rail bed near Brookmere.

Nicomen Falls

Vidette Waterfalls "The Centre of the Universe"