Powell River, Brook in qathet Regional District, Canada.

Powell River begins in the Pacific Ranges at about 600 m elevation and runs 26 km south before entering the north end of Powell Lake; the Daniels River joins 4 km upstream. Below the lake, a dam at the city of Powell River impounds the river, which then flows roughly 500 m to the Salish Sea. Its basin covers about 1,300 km².

The river is named after Israel Wood Powell (1836–1915), a British physician, politician and businessman in British Columbia who served as Commissioner for Indian Affairs from 1873 to 1881. A dam at the outflow from Powell Lake, at the town of Powell River, impounds the river; the powerhouse there has run since 1912, built for the local paper mill and using the 36 m drop to the coast.

The river is named after Israel Wood Powell (1836–1915), a British physician, politician and businessman in British Columbia who served as Commissioner for Indian Affairs from 1873 to 1881. The same name was given to Powell Lake and to the city of Powell River at the river's mouth.

Access to the river varies by location within the district, reachable by vehicle or hiking trails depending on which section you plan to visit. Summer and early autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for exploring its banks and observing the ecosystem.

The river creates specialized habitats by joining multiple small tributaries, offering shelter and food sources for native fish species. These microhabitats form where varying water speeds and depth changes occur throughout the system.