Squamish River

The Squamish River is a river in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District of British Columbia, originating from the Pemberton Icefield and flowing southward. It carves through deep valleys in the mountains before widening into a broad lowland delta where it reaches the sea.

The river valley was carved during the last ice age when massive glaciers shaped the landscape of the Coast Mountains. This glacial work created the valleys and landforms that define the waterway today.

The river holds deep meaning for the Squamish First Nations, whose people have depended on salmon runs for countless generations. The waterway and surrounding lands remain central to how the community lives and connects with the natural world.

The best way to experience the river is by walking along the banks near the town of Squamish, where access points and viewpoints are available. Between December and February, large numbers of Bald Eagles gather here to hunt salmon, offering excellent wildlife watching opportunities.

The river gathers water from a vast drainage basin and is fed by four major tributaries before reaching its destination. These multiple inflows sometimes turn the water a milky grey colour, especially after heavy rains when glacial silt flows down from higher elevations.