Fort Nelson, British Columbia
Encyclopedia
Fort Nelson is a town of approximately 5000 residents in British Columbia
's northeastern corner. It is the administrative centre of the newly formed Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, a first for BC. The majority of Fort Nelson's economic activities have historically been concentrated in the energy
and tourism industries, and until very recently, forestry. The forests surrounding Fort Nelson are part of Canada's boreal forest
. Fort Nelson is just on the southwest edge of the Greater Sierra oil & gas field
.
The town lies east of the Northern Rocky Mountains
in the Peace River region, directly along the Alaska Highway
at mile 300. Year round, the town is home to over 4500 residents while 1600 additional residents settle in the surrounding area, which includes the Fort Nelson First Nations reserve. There are about 500 members living on the reserve, and across the region as a whole Aboriginal people make up approximately 15% of the total population.
The community experiences significant seasonal population increases. In winter, drilling rig activities bring in another 2000-5000 seasonal residents and during the summer tourist season (April through September) about 14000 visitors travel through the municipality, most on their way to or from Alaska.
was established as a trading post
in 1805 by the North West Company
.
Throughout its history Fort Nelson has been moved five times due to flooding on the Fort Nelson River
. Fort Nelson now currently lies on the shores of one of the Fort Nelson Rivers Tributaries, The Muskwa River
.
The Fort Nelson Airport
was built in 1941 as part of the World War II
Northwest Air Staging Route
.
On 18 June 2005, people in Fort Nelson held a water balloon fight with over 40000 water balloons being tossed in less than three minutes. At the time, it was a world record.
(which took the name from the town), Muskwa River
and Prophet River
.
(Köppen
Dfc) and a humid continental climate
(Dfb). Winters, except when dry chinook
winds blow from the Pacific Ocean
tend to be severely cold and generally dry with snow depth of only 0.5 metres (19.7 in) typical owing to the dryness of the 1.77 metres (69.69 in) snowfall, whilst summers are warm and occasionally rainy, though spells of hot weather are fortunately rare.
), south of the intersection with Highway 77.
Greyhound Canada
operates a bus depot in the town.
, with several smaller airstrips in close proximity:
operates a line which has its northern terminus in Fort Nelson that runs 3 trains weekly, and is a former BC Rail line.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
's northeastern corner. It is the administrative centre of the newly formed Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, a first for BC. The majority of Fort Nelson's economic activities have historically been concentrated in the energy
Petroleum production in Canada
Petroleum production in Canada is a major industry which is important to the economy of North America. Canada is the sixth largest oil producing country in the world. In 2008 it produced an average of of crude oil, crude bitumen and natural gas condensate. Of that amount, 45% was conventional...
and tourism industries, and until very recently, forestry. The forests surrounding Fort Nelson are part of Canada's boreal forest
Boreal forest of Canada
Canada's boreal forest comprises about one third of the circumpolar boreal forest that rings the northern hemisphere, mostly north of the 50th parallel. Other countries with boreal forest include Russia, which contains the majority, and the Scandinavian and Nordic countries . The boreal region in...
. Fort Nelson is just on the southwest edge of the Greater Sierra oil & gas field
Greater Sierra (oil field)
Greater Sierra is a large oil and gas field in northeastern British Columbia, Canada.It is located east and north from the town of Fort Nelson, extending to the Alberta and Northwest Territories borders .Drilling activity takes place largely during the winter months, when the otherwise soft muskeg...
.
The town lies east of the Northern Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
in the Peace River region, directly along the Alaska Highway
Alaska Highway
The Alaska Highway was constructed during World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada. It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon...
at mile 300. Year round, the town is home to over 4500 residents while 1600 additional residents settle in the surrounding area, which includes the Fort Nelson First Nations reserve. There are about 500 members living on the reserve, and across the region as a whole Aboriginal people make up approximately 15% of the total population.
The community experiences significant seasonal population increases. In winter, drilling rig activities bring in another 2000-5000 seasonal residents and during the summer tourist season (April through September) about 14000 visitors travel through the municipality, most on their way to or from Alaska.
History
Fort Nelson, named in honour of Horatio NelsonHoratio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
was established as a trading post
Trading post
A trading post was a place or establishment in historic Northern America where the trading of goods took place. The preferred travel route to a trading post or between trading posts, was known as a trade route....
in 1805 by the North West Company
North West Company
The North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in Montreal from 1779 to 1821. It competed with increasing success against the Hudson's Bay Company in what was to become Western Canada...
.
Throughout its history Fort Nelson has been moved five times due to flooding on the Fort Nelson River
Fort Nelson River
The Fort Nelson River is located in north-eastern British Columbia, Canada. It flows 517 km generally north-westward to the Liard River, a tributary of the Mackenzie River, which empties into the Arctic Ocean...
. Fort Nelson now currently lies on the shores of one of the Fort Nelson Rivers Tributaries, The Muskwa River
Muskwa River
The Muskwa River flows 257 km through northern British Columbia, Canada. It is a major tributary of the Fort Nelson River - part of the Mackenzie River system. The river rises at Fern Lake in the Bedaux Pass in the Northern Rocky Mountains. From there, it flows generally east, then north,...
.
The Fort Nelson Airport
Fort Nelson Airport
Fort Nelson Airport, , is located east northeast of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada.-Airlines and destinations:-See also:*Fort Nelson Water Aerodrome*Fort Nelson/Gordon Field Airport*Fort Nelson/Mobil Sierra Airport...
was built in 1941 as part of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Northwest Air Staging Route
Northwest Staging Route
The Northwest Staging Route was a series of airstrips, airport and radio ranging stations built in Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon and Alaska during World War II. It was known in the Soviet Union as Alsib ....
.
Attractions
- In Fort Nelson
- Fort Nelson Heritage Museum
- Canadian Open Dog Sled Races (January)
- Heritage Days (February)
- Trappers' Rendezvous (March)
- Trade Show (May)
- CanoeingCanoeingCanoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
down the Fort Nelson RiverFort Nelson RiverThe Fort Nelson River is located in north-eastern British Columbia, Canada. It flows 517 km generally north-westward to the Liard River, a tributary of the Mackenzie River, which empties into the Arctic Ocean...
- In the Northern Rockies
- Liard Hot SpringsLiard River Hot Springs Provincial ParkLiard River Hot Springs Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. It is home to the second largest hot spring in Canada. The park is part of the larger Muskwa-Kechika Management Area. The community of Liard River, British Columbia is located nearby.-History and...
- Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial ParkNorthern Rocky Mountains Provincial ParkNorthern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. It is located in the north-eastern part of the province, 90 km north-west from Fort Nelson and it is bordered to the north by the Alaska Highway...
- Smith River Falls
- Wokkpash Recreation Area
- Muncho LakeMuncho Lake Provincial ParkMuncho Lake Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada, located on the Alaska Highway as it transits the northernmost Canadian Rockies west of Fort Nelson. The park is part of the larger Muskwa-Kechika Management Area....
(of blue-green color, due to glacial flourRock flourRock flour, or glacial flour, consists of fine-grained, silt-sized particles of rock, generated by mechanical grinding of bedrock by glacial erosion or by artificial grinding to a similar size...
) - RaftingRaftingRafting or white water rafting is a challenging recreational outdoor activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this...
on the Liard RiverLiard RiverThe Liard River flows through Yukon, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, Canada. Rising in the Saint Cyr Range of the Pelly Mountains in southeastern Yukon, it flows southeast through British Columbia, marking the northern end of the Rocky Mountains and then curving northeast back...
- Liard Hot Springs
On 18 June 2005, people in Fort Nelson held a water balloon fight with over 40000 water balloons being tossed in less than three minutes. At the time, it was a world record.
Demographics
Fort Nelson had a population of 4,514 people in 2006, which was an increase of 7.8% from the 2001 census count. The median household income in 2005 for Fort Nelson was $83,188, which is above the British Columbia provincial average of $52,709.Geography
Fort Nelson lies near the confluence of Fort Nelson RiverFort Nelson River
The Fort Nelson River is located in north-eastern British Columbia, Canada. It flows 517 km generally north-westward to the Liard River, a tributary of the Mackenzie River, which empties into the Arctic Ocean...
(which took the name from the town), Muskwa River
Muskwa River
The Muskwa River flows 257 km through northern British Columbia, Canada. It is a major tributary of the Fort Nelson River - part of the Mackenzie River system. The river rises at Fern Lake in the Bedaux Pass in the Northern Rocky Mountains. From there, it flows generally east, then north,...
and Prophet River
Prophet River
Prophet River is a river in northern British Columbia, Canada. It is a tributary of the Muskwa River.The Prophet River Hotsprings Provincial Park is established on the upper course, and the Prophet River Wayside Provincial Park is located along the middle course of the river...
.
Climate
Fort Nelson has a climate right on the boundary between a subarctic climateSubarctic climate
The subarctic climate is a climate characterized by long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers. It is found on large landmasses, away from the moderating effects of an ocean, generally at latitudes from 50° to 70°N poleward of the humid continental climates...
(Köppen
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Dfc) and a humid continental climate
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
(Dfb). Winters, except when dry chinook
Chinook
-Main uses:*The Chinook people of Native Americans.**Chinookan languages, in specific, Coastal Chinook and Upper Chinook*Chinook Jargon, a hybrid of Chinookan, Nootka, Chehalis, French, English and other languages*Chinook salmon...
winds blow from the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
tend to be severely cold and generally dry with snow depth of only 0.5 metres (19.7 in) typical owing to the dryness of the 1.77 metres (69.69 in) snowfall, whilst summers are warm and occasionally rainy, though spells of hot weather are fortunately rare.
Roads
The town is located along Highway 97 (Alaska HighwayAlaska Highway
The Alaska Highway was constructed during World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada. It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon...
), south of the intersection with Highway 77.
Greyhound Canada
Greyhound Lines of Canada
Greyhound Canada is the prominent operator of inter-city coach services in Canada. Greyhound Canada is a subsidiary of Scotland's FirstGroup plc, linked with Dallas-based Greyhound Lines .-History:In 1929, Greyhound Canada was founded as Canadian Greyhound Coaches, Limited, operating in Alberta...
operates a bus depot in the town.
Air
Fort Nelson is primarily served by the Fort Nelson AirportFort Nelson Airport
Fort Nelson Airport, , is located east northeast of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada.-Airlines and destinations:-See also:*Fort Nelson Water Aerodrome*Fort Nelson/Gordon Field Airport*Fort Nelson/Mobil Sierra Airport...
, with several smaller airstrips in close proximity:
- Fort Nelson/Gordon Field AirportFort Nelson/Gordon Field AirportFort Nelson/Gordon Field Airport, , is located near to Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada.-See also:*Fort Nelson Airport*Fort Nelson Water Aerodrome*Fort Nelson/Mobil Sierra Airport...
- Fort Nelson/Mobil Sierra AirportFort Nelson/Mobil Sierra AirportFort Nelson/Mobil Sierra Airport, , was located northeast of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada.-See also:*Fort Nelson Airport*Fort Nelson Water Aerodrome*Fort Nelson/Gordon Field Airport...
- Fort Nelson (Parker Lake) Water AerodromeFort Nelson (Parker Lake) Water AerodromeFort Nelson Water Aerodrome, , is located west northwest of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada.-See also:*Fort Nelson Airport*Fort Nelson/Gordon Field Airport*Fort Nelson/Mobil Sierra Airport...
Rail
CN RailCanadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
operates a line which has its northern terminus in Fort Nelson that runs 3 trains weekly, and is a former BC Rail line.