The
Birkenhead River winds through farmlands east of the community
of Mount Currie, British Columbia |
The Birkenhead
River originates in the southern Coast Mountains north of Pemberton,
British Columbia, and is fed by Birkenhead Lake in Birkenhead Lake
Provincial Park. The clear Birkenhead River melds with the murky green
waters of the Lillooet River just as the two empty into the north
end of Lillooet Lake near Mount Currie.
Formerly called
the Portage River, the Pole River and the Mosquito River, the Birkenhead
River is approximately 30 miles (50 km) in length.
The Birkenhead
River is easily spotted from either Highway 99 as it passes through
rural Mount Currie or numerous places along the D'Arcy-Anderson
Lake Road, including the Owl Creek Forest Service site.
The Lillooet
and Birkenhead Rivers have been providing sport for whitewater kayakers
since the invention of fibreglass. The Birkenhead is more predictable
and also more pleasantly landscaped.
The Birkenhead
River provides more challenging Class III–IV kayaking in tighter
confines as the river runs for about 3 miles (5 km) between the
narrow bridge over the Birkenhead north of Owl Creek on the D’Arcy–Anderson
Lake Road and another bridge near Mount Currie on the road that
leads to the Pemberton Sportsmen’s Wildlife Association fish hatchery.
To find the takeout, turn east onto a gravel road on the south side
of the train tracks as the D’Arcy–Anderson Lake Road leaves Mount
Currie.
Spawning
Salmon: Beginning in late August and early September, successive
runs of spawning sockeye salmon enter the Birkenhead River from
Lillooet Lake, having made their way this far from the Pacific via
the Fraser River, Harrison Lake and the Lillooet River. When they
do, the river runs red with the stock returning to spawn. This is
a stunning sight so remarkable that at first you can hardly believe
your eyes, an autumn treat that rivals the changing colours in the
forest along the riverbank.
Fishing:
Although the salmon aren’t feeding, you can sometimes fish for the
rainbow trout that follow in their wake. The best place to launch
is beside the more northerly of the two Birkenhead River bridges
on Highway 99, at the head of Lillooet Lake. You’ll often see anglers
casting from the banks of the Birkenhead beside the D’Arcy–Anderson
Lake Road. Birkenhead Lake is a popular fishing spot (even in winter),
particularly at the mouth of Sockeye Creek. Try gang trolling using
a wedding band or flatfish.
Nearest
Towns: Pemberton,
Mount Currie, Lillooet,
Sea to Sky Highway
Nearest Lake: Birkenhead Lake
Nearest Park:
Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park
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