Campbell River, British Columbia

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This article is about the city. For the city's namesake, see Campbell River (Vancouver Island).
Campbell River
Wiwek̓a̱m
City
City of Campbell River
PanoramicCampbellRiver.jpg
Flag of Campbell River
Flag
Nickname(s): 
Salmon Capital of the World.
Campbell River is located in British Columbia
Campbell River
Campbell River
Location of Campbell River in British Columbia
Coordinates: 50°01′28″N 125°14′51″W / 50.02444°N 125.24750°W / 50.02444; -125.24750
Country Canada
Province British Columbia
Indigenous TerritoriesLigwilda'xw
Quakiolth & Queackar Douglas Treaty groups
RegionMid-Island
Regional DistrictStrathcona Regional District
Founded1855
Incorporated1947
Government
 • TypeElected city council
 • MayorAndy Adams
 • MPRachel Blaney (NDP)
 • MLAMichele Babchuk (BC NDP)
Area
 • City143.12 km2 (55.26 sq mi)
Elevation
24 m (79 ft)
Population
 (2016)
 • City35,138
 • Density1,143.9/km2 (2,963/sq mi)
 • Metro
36,461
 • Metro density20.8/km2 (54/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
Forward sortation area
V9H, V9W
Area code(s)250, 778
HighwaysHighway 19
Highway 19A
WaterwaysDiscovery Passage, Strait of Georgia
WebsiteOfficial website

Campbell River or Wiwek̓a̱m[1] is a city in British Columbia on the east coast of Vancouver Island at the south end of Discovery Passage, which lies along the 50th parallel north along the important Inside Passage shipping route. Campbell River has a population (2016 census) of 35,138 and has long been touted as "the Salmon Capital of the World". Campbell River and Region is in close proximity to the neighboring communities of Quadra and the Discovery Islands, Sayward, Oyster River, Gold River, Tahsis and Zeballos.

History[]

The first settlers known in the area were members of the Island Comox and related Coast Salish peoples. During the 18th century a migration of Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwak'wala-speaking) people of the Wakashan cultural and linguistic group migrated south from the area of Fort Rupert and established themselves in the Campbell River area, at first enslaving and then absorbing the Comox, and became infamous as raiders of the Coast Salish peoples farther south, known to history as the Euclataws, which is also spelled Yucultas and is a variant on their name for themselves, the Laich-kwil-tach, Lekwiltok or Legwildok. Of this group, also known as the Southern Kwakiutl, there are two subdivisions, the or Weiwaikai of the Cape Mudge Indian Band on Quadra Island and the Weiwaikum of the Campbell River Band located in and around the city of Campbell River.

Captain George Vancouver reached Campbell River in 1792 aboard the ships HMS Discovery and HMS Chatham. The channel between Quadra Island and Campbell River is named Discovery Passage after HMS Discovery. The captain and his botanist, Mr Archibald Menzies, encountered a small tribe of 350 natives who spoke the Salish language. A Lekwiltok war party, heavily armed with European rifles, paddled south from Johnstone Strait in the middle of the 19th century and were in control of the area when HMS Plumper came through on a cartography mission under Captain George Henry Richards around 1859. Dr Samuel Campbell was the ship surgeon, and historians believe his name was given to the river by Richards. The community took the name of "Campbell River" when its post office was constructed in 1907.[2] Likewise, the name of HMS Discovery's First Lieutenant Zachary Mudge is preserved in the nearby Cape Mudge.

Sports fishermen travelled to the area as early as the 1880s, especially after the tales from anglers such as [3][4] and . The formation of the in 1924, over concern regarding over-fishing of the salmon stocks, served to popularize the area among fishermen.[5] , for instance, moved to Campbell River the following year and opened his in 1929. Painter's Lodge attracted clientele from Hollywood and regular patrons included Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Commercial fishing was a large industry for many years. The town's magistrate Roderick Haig-Brown purchased a fishing cabin on Campbell River and wrote a number of books on fly fishing for both sport fishermen and conservationists.

Industrial logging took off in the 1920s with Merrill Ring and Company, Bloedel, Stewart and Welch and Comox Logging. A large forest fire started near Buttle Lake and burned much of the valley in 1938. Rock Bay, Menzies Bay, and Englewood all were big logging camps.

After 1912, Campbell River became a supply point for northern Vancouver Island, Quadra Island and Cortes Island.[6] The E and N Railway was surveyed to Campbell River, yet it only reached Courtenay, forty miles south; in its original conception it would have been the last leg of the transcontinental railway, which had been proposed to run down Bute Inlet after cross the British Columbia Interior, connecting to Vancouver Island just north of Campbell River at Seymour Narrows. After the Second World War, Campbell River became a boom town and industrial centre with the building of the John Hart Dam, Elk Falls pulp mill, and nearby mills in Tahsis and Gold River. Logging and mining in the area prospered. There is a lead zinc mine nearby, and coal mines, while a large copper mine operated to the north.

In recent years Campbell River, about half-way up Vancouver Island, has continued to mark the boundary between the more developed south and the wild and natural areas in the northern part of the island.[7] Local fish hatcheries help to maintain salmon stocks for the fishing industry.[8]

A panoramic picture of Campbell River from the Strait of Georgia

There is uncertainty about the source of the name of the city. It is thought that the river and the city may have been named for Dr. Samuel Campbell who was assistant surgeon aboard HMS Plumper from 1857 to 1861.[9]:37

Climate[]

Campbell River has an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification) Cfb. The most precipitation is measured in November, at 231 millimetres (9.1 in) on average. January tends to see the most snow, 152 millimetres (6.0 in) on average. In the winter months, occasional Arctic bursts from the interior of British Columbia can make their way onto the coast bringing temperatures below freezing. If a Pacific low reaches the coast, a large snowfall can occur. Snowfalls in excess of 45 centimetres (18 in) have been recorded in a 24-hour period and the greatest snowfall was 53.3 centimetres (1 ft 9.0 in) in 1978.

hideClimate data for Campbell River Airport
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 13.9 16.1 18.6 28.0 32.4 35.0 40.9 40.0 33.4 27.7 17.9 15.7 40.9
Record high °C (°F) 16.1
(61.0) 		17.5
(63.5) 		20.6
(69.1) 		28.5
(83.3) 		33.2
(91.8) 		36.9
(98.4) 		37.2
(99.0) 		37.8
(100.0) 		31.6
(88.9) 		24.2
(75.6) 		17.8
(64.0) 		15.1
(59.2) 		37.8
(100.0)
Average high °C (°F) 5.5
(41.9) 		7.2
(45.0) 		9.7
(49.5) 		13.2
(55.8) 		17.0
(62.6) 		20.1
(68.2) 		23.0
(73.4) 		23.3
(73.9) 		19.8
(67.6) 		13.1
(55.6) 		7.7
(45.9) 		4.9
(40.8) 		13.7
(56.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.4
(36.3) 		3.2
(37.8) 		5.2
(41.4) 		8.0
(46.4) 		11.6
(52.9) 		14.7
(58.5) 		17.3
(63.1) 		17.2
(63.0) 		13.7
(56.7) 		8.6
(47.5) 		4.4
(39.9) 		2.1
(35.8) 		9.0
(48.2)
Average low °C (°F) −0.8
(30.6) 		−0.7
(30.7) 		0.7
(33.3) 		2.8
(37.0) 		6.2
(43.2) 		9.3
(48.7) 		11.5
(52.7) 		11.1
(52.0) 		7.6
(45.7) 		4.0
(39.2) 		1.0
(33.8) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		4.3
(39.7)
Record low °C (°F) −23.9
(−11.0) 		−17.8
(0.0) 		−12.8
(9.0) 		−5.6
(21.9) 		−2.2
(28.0) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		2.2
(36.0) 		1.7
(35.1) 		−2.8
(27.0) 		−9.7
(14.5) 		−20.4
(−4.7) 		−18.5
(−1.3) 		−23.9
(−11.0)
Record low wind chill −29.7 −23.4 −15.5 −7.6 −3.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 −4.9 −11.8 −26.1 −24.4 −29.7
Average precipitation mm (inches) 217.5
(8.56) 		149.5
(5.89) 		140.0
(5.51) 		92.1
(3.63) 		68.4
(2.69) 		62.9
(2.48) 		39.4
(1.55) 		44.6
(1.76) 		55.2
(2.17) 		162.2
(6.39) 		231.9
(9.13) 		225.7
(8.89) 		1,489.3
(58.63)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 194.6
(7.66) 		135.5
(5.33) 		128.4
(5.06) 		91.6
(3.61) 		68.4
(2.69) 		62.9
(2.48) 		39.4
(1.55) 		44.6
(1.76) 		55.2
(2.17) 		161.0
(6.34) 		222.1
(8.74) 		204.2
(8.04) 		1,407.8
(55.43)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 23.3
(9.2) 		14.4
(5.7) 		11.7
(4.6) 		0.5
(0.2) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		1.2
(0.5) 		10.5
(4.1) 		22.6
(8.9) 		84.3
(33.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 20.8 16.4 19.7 17.1 15.5 13.7 9.4 9.3 9.7 18.4 21.6 21.2 192.8
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 18.7 15.0 18.9 17.1 15.5 13.7 9.4 9.3 9.7 18.4 21.0 19.3 185.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 4.3 3.0 2.7 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.8 4.1 16.3
Average relative humidity (%) (at 3pm) 84.9 75.1 67.8 59.6 57.2 57.6 54.4 55.1 59.1 74.0 83.3 86.3 67.9
Source: [10][11]

Demographics[]

Canada 2006 Census Population % of Total Population
Visible minority group[12] Chinese 180 0.6%
South Asian 85 0.3%
Black 45 0.2%
Filipino 240 0.8%
Latin American 105 0.4%
Southeast Asian 235 0.8%
Arab 10 0%
West Asian 0 0%
Korean 35 0.1%
Japanese 100 0.3%
Other visible minority 25 0.1%
Mixed visible minority 20 0.1%
Total visible minority population 1,100 3.7%
Aboriginal group[13] First Nations 2,540 8.6%
Métis 1 0%
Inuit 0 0%
Total Aboriginal group population 2,540 8.6%
European 25,730 87.6%
Total population 29,370 100%

Economy[]

Marina and Fisherman's Wharf

Campbell River has a variety of growing industries and small businesses suitable to an oceanside community. As of 2012 the focus of business is directed towards aquaculture, agrifoods, clean energy development, construction, creative industries, forestry, fishing,[14] health care, international education, mining, technology and tourism.[6] Elk Falls Mill, one of the largest employers in the area shut down in 2009, however, logging continues to be a significant source of employment.[6] There have been many cases of former mill employees moving away to other places with higher demands for a similar labour force, particularly Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Education[]

Public schools are administered by School District 72 Campbell River. North Island College has a campus in Campbell River. Campbell River has recently developed a new international program accepting students from Germany, Austria, and various other countries across Europe, South America and Asia. Along with School District 72, there is also a private K-12 Christian school, this being Campbell River Christian School. The two public high schools are Timberline Secondary School and Carihi Secondary School. Carihi Secondary School is also a part of School District 93 Conseil scolaire francophone.

The Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique operates one Francophone school in Campbell River: the école Mer-et-montagne primary school.[15]

Politics[]

In the House of Commons of Canada, Campbell River is represented by the riding of North Island—Powell River (Rachel Blaney, NDP). In the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Campbell River is represented by the North Island (Claire Trevena, BC NDP) riding.

The mayor of Campbell River is Andy Adams who was elected to office on 15 November 2014.

Transportation[]

The city is served by Campbell River Airport (YBL), Campbell River Water Aerodrome at Campbell River Harbour, a BC Ferries route to Quadra Island,[16] and an inland island highway and an oceanside island highway which connect the community to the rest of Vancouver Island.[17] Campbell River Transit System provides bus service to the city and neighbouring communities. Operated by Watson and Ash Transportation, the transit system is funded under a partnership between the City of Campbell River and BC Transit, the provincial agency which plans and manages municipal transit systems.[citation needed]

Movies filmed in Campbell River[]

Notable residents[]

  • Sybil Andrews – artist
  • Rod Brind'Amour – National Hockey League player (born in Ottawa but learned to play hockey in Campbell River)
  • Dawn Coe-Jones – golfer, winner of three LPGA Tour tournaments
  • Brett Connolly – National Hockey League player
  • John Davison – cricketer (born in Campbell River but grew up in Australia)
  • Kris Fredheim - professional hockey player – drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 2005 but currently plays in the Minnesota Wild organization
  • Roderick Haig-Brown – judge, author and conservationist
  • Teal Harle – freestyle skier, placed fifth in slope style in the 2018 Winter Olympics
  • Andrew Nikiforuk - Journalist
  • Barry Pepper – actor
  • Jacqueline Pirie – (former) actress (born in Scotland, but had a drama school in Campbell River also known as Jacqueline Chadwick)
  • Nicholas Thorburn – musician
  • Avalon Wasteneys — rower, Olympic gold medalist
  • Jack Woodward QC - lawyer, author and educator

Media[]

Sister City[]

Since 1983, Campbell River has been a sister-city or twinned city with Ishikari, in the Hokkaido region of Japan. This twinning was based on the importance of salmon to both cities.[19]

References[]

  1. ^ "First Voices". Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  2. ^ Artibise, Alan F.J: "Campbell River". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
  3. ^ Pedersen, Diana (Winter 2011). "The Fish That Made Campbell River Famous". British Columbia History. 44 (4): 5–15. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  4. ^ "The Salmon Capital of the World". campbellrivertourism.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  5. ^ Field & Stream. 79. June 1974. p. 65. ISSN 8755-8599.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c Gebhart, Fred; Cass, =Maxine (18 September 2002). Vancouver and British Columbia. Thomas Cook Publishing. p. 98. ISBN 978-1-84157-230-7.
  7. ^ Susan Bowers (14 May 2004). Toads and Nettles: Memories of the North West Coast. Xlibris Corporation. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-4134-4754-5.
  8. ^ Don Daniels, "Smolts growing in pens at Campbell River wharves will be released soon". Campbell River Mirror, 26 April 2018
  9. ^ Akrigg, G.P.V.; Akrigg, Helen B. (1986), British Columbia Place Names (3rd, 1997 ed.), Vancouver: UBC Press, ISBN 0-7748-0636-2
  10. ^ "CAMPBELL RIVER A". Environment Canada. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  11. ^ "Campbell River Airport". Environment Canada. Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  12. ^ "Community Profiles from the 2006 Census, Statistics Canada - Census Subdivision". 2.statcan.gc.ca. 6 December 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  13. ^ "Aboriginal Peoples - Data table". 2.statcan.ca. 6 October 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  14. ^ Jayne Seagrave (5 June 2014). Camping British Columbia and Yukon: The Complete Guide to National, Provincial, and Territorial Campgrounds. Heritage House. p. 31. ISBN 978-1-927527-60-3.
  15. ^ "Carte des écoles Archived 17 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine." Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britanique. Retrieved on 22 January 2015.
  16. ^ Ed Readicker-Henderson; Lynn Readicker-Henderson (2004). British Columbia: Adventure Guide. Hunter Publishing, Inc. p. 109. ISBN 978-1-58843-366-4.
  17. ^ Brett McGillivray (1 January 2011). Geography of British Columbia, Third Edition: People and Landscapes in Transition. UBC Press. p. 252. ISBN 978-0-7748-4519-9.
  18. ^ "An Essential Guide to the 'Planet of the Apes' Films". Exclaim!, 29 Jun 2017
  19. ^ "What We Do". Campbell River Twinning Society. 17 January 2019.

External links[]

Coordinates: 50°1′28″N 125°14′51″W / 50.02444°N 125.24750°W / 50.02444; -125.24750

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