Every fall, tens of thousands of bald eagles migrate to the Harrison River and Harrison Mills, where they’ll feast on even more spawning salmon, which later make their own journey back to the ocean. All the while, ancient white sturgeon glide beneath the freshwater, which means visitors can witness three spectacular natural phenomena this time of year in just this area alone.
Canada’s first protected salmon stronghold
From October through January, countless salmon return to the Harrison River, a.k.a. Canada’s first protected salmon stronghold. This ecologically rich ecosystem contains all five salmon species and is considered one of the most productive salmon runs on earth.
The largest gathering of bald eagles in the world
Overhead, the world’s largest winter gathering of bald eagles commences, with tens of thousands of eagles flying from Alaska and northern Canada to the Fraser Valley.
Fun fact: bald eagles are one of the largest raptors in the world, with their wingspan totalling over six feet on average!
On the other hand, the long-lived white sturgeon is considered a “modern-day dinosaur,” and the largest freshwater fish in North America. According to Tourism Harrison, they can live up to 200 years and grow up to 12 feet long — and they call the Harrison River home.
As they’re known for their massive size and strength, keep an eye out for some pretty incredible jumps during your next visit.
According to Tourism Harrison, the action is centred around the Chehalis Flats (Lhá:lt), the resting grounds for migrating eagles and spawning salmon. For this reason, walking and kayaking through the flats is not permitted, as this poses safety risks to both species in what’s already a sensitive habitat.
How to view the eagles and spawning salmon
Self-guided tours are available at Harrison Mills, located just off Lougheed Highway (Highway 7), around 32 kilometres from Harrison Hot Springs.
While bustling with salmon, the Weaver Creek Spawning Channel is also open to human visitors. It was constructed in 1965 to extend the existing Weaver Creek, allowing more salmon to spawn annually. It has a whopping capacity of 45,000 spawning adults, to be exact!
In recent years, anywhere from a thousand to 100,000 have returned to the spawning channel.
For optimal viewing opportunities, Tourism Harrison recommends walking the Eagle Walk at Sandpiper Resort, among a handful of other nature trails.
Here are all the best trails for viewing bald eagles and spawning salmon this time of year:
- Kilby Provincial Park Loop Trail (215 Kilby Rd., Harrison Mills)
- Sandpiper Resort Eagle Interpretive Trail (14282 Morris Valley Rd., Harrison Mills)
- Qwólts Park and Whippoorwill Point (100 Esplanade Ave., Harrison Hot Springs)
- Sts’ailes Heritage Trail (16300 Morris Valley Rd., Harrison Mills)
- Chehalis River Hatchery (16250 Morris Valley Rd., Harrison Mills)
These trails meander past long-standing spawning grounds, and rivers, streams, and lakes where bald eagles tend to congregate.
So there you have it, nature lovers. Stay tuned for more info on guided eagle and salmon tours to come.
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