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Powell River, British Columbia is a small city on the south mainland coast of British Columbia, Canada, located on the shores of the Strait of Georgia. This area is sometimes referred to as the upper Sunshine Coast. It is the seat of the Powell River Regional District. The city is bounded by the Strait of Georgia to the south and west, Lund & Desolation Sound Marine Park to the north, and the Pacific Coast Ranges with Jervis Inlet to the east. These unique geographical surroundings explain Powell River's reputation as a remote community, despite a relative proximity to Vancouver and other populous areas of the BC coast.
Transportation
While not on an island, Powell River is accessible to vehicles only by ferry; the surrounding inlets (fjords) banked by mountainous terrain have made inland roads thus far unfeasible. BC Ferries serves Powell River from Comox on Vancouver Island to the west, and from the Sunshine Coast to the south east, via a route from Earl's Cove near Skookumchuck Narrows. Since the Sunshine Coast is similarly isolated from the rest of the BC mainland, vehicles traveling to Powell River from Vancouver must take two ships to reach it (across Howe Sound and the Jervis Inlet if travelling via Sechelt, and across Georgia Strait twice if going via Nanaimo). Powell River is also accessible via plane, either private or via Pacific Coastlines Airline.
City of Powell River
The City of Powell River includes the original Townsite, as well as the more populous Westview, and the Cranberry Lake and Wildwood areas. On October 15, 2005, coinciding with it's 50th Anniversary of Incorporation, Powell River was officially designated a City.
The Mayor of Powell River, presently serving his third term, is Stewart Alsgard.
Ecosystem
Powell River is situated within a temperate coastal rainforest, which includes many increasingly rare species of plants, trees, and woodland animals. An extensive trail system of more than 200 km offers easy access to wilderness areas, from temperate wetlands to subalpine meadows (and even semi-permanent glaciers). The Powell River area is also home to numerous marine parks, the most famous of which is Desolation Sound.
The Powell River itself is known as the second shortest river in the world.
History
The river was named for Israel Wood Powell, who was at that time superintendent of Indian Affairs for BC. He was travelling up the coast of BC in the 1880s and the river and lake were named in his honour.
The pulp mill in Powell River was at one time the largest pulp mill in the world. It has significantly cut back on production and now produces specialty paper for Catalyst Paper Corporation. The reduction in output, combined with a progressive environmental policy, have drastically reduced emissions and won the company several awards. The diversification of the local economy subsequently led to an increased focus on ecotourism and the arts, in addition to more traditional sources like mining, fishing, and general forestry.
The population of the Powell River Regional District is (2001 Census) 19,765. Of this 12,983 live in the District Municipality of Powell River. Although these numbers have remained static since the 1970s, recent (2006) figures indicate that the regional population is showing signs of renewed growth, and may have reached 22,000.
External links
"Powell River, British Columbia"