Englishman River ( Halkomelem : K̓wal̓uxw) is a river in the eastern side of Vancouver Island , British Columbia , Canada. It starts on the eastern slopes of the Beaufort Range , originating from tiny Jewel Lake and flowing in an easterly direction for 40 km (25 mi), entering the Strait of Georgia at Parksville, British Columbia . It is an important watershed providing habitat for various species of salmon and community water to the residents of Parksville and surrounding area. The Englishman River watershed includes Arrowsmith Lake , Hidden Lake , Fishtail Lake , Rowbotham Lake , Healy Lake , Shelton Lake , and Rhododendron Lake .
6-419: Englishman River Falls Provincial Park is a popular tourist destination approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) upstream from the mouth of the river . It is famed for its two picturesque waterfalls and treed campsites. The park was created on December 20, 1940, in an effort to protect the old-growth forest and its associated ecosystem along the river in the vicinity of the waterfalls. A dammed reservoir on
12-720: Is a provincial park in British Columbia , Canada . It is located west of Parksville and borders the small community of Errington on Vancouver Island . Short year round access hiking trails and bridges access both upper and lower falls on the Englishman River . In 2019 new trails were under development in partnership with a community group. The base of the falls is a popular swimming hole with 15 to 20 ft cliff jumping. Salmon spawning can be observed in season. The campground has 107 sites, most of which are vehicle access and can be reserved during summer. There
18-415: Is a large day use area. The park covers 97 hectares and includes old-growth and second growth Douglas fir , cedar, hemlock and maple forest surroundings. A First Nations legend mentions the skeleton of a white man found near the falls, hence its name. The Englishman River Regional Park and a city part can be found nearby along the same river. This British Columbia protected areas related article
24-516: The Englishman is a source of water for Parksville, British Columbia . The Englishman's south fork begins at Shelton (Echo) Lake and shortly after exiting the north end of that lake enters Healy (Panther) Lake. The river then exits the far end of the lake and flows northeast to where it merges with the main fork of the Englishman. The indigenous name of the river, Kw’a’luxw, comes from the island dialect of Halkomelem , meaning "dog salmon" due to
30-425: The river's well-known salmon populations. According to a local legend, indigenous people in the area found the skeleton of a Caucasian man near the waterfalls, thus giving the river its current name; the river was given its name because "an Englishman was drowned while attempting to cross." A further source is cited as "Hirst, being the first settler by the river, was referred to by Indians as ‘that Englishman by
36-454: The river‘. Hence the name Englishman's River came to be known". Spanish mapmakers originally named it the "Rio de Grullas," presumably because of the large number of great blue herons living at its estuary ( grulla being Spanish for "crane"). 49°19′32″N 124°17′30″W / 49.32556°N 124.29167°W / 49.32556; -124.29167 Englishman River Falls Provincial Park Englishman River Falls Provincial Park
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