Author Archives: Swany

Rau’ Shuswap

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British Columbia. Former name of river: Fraser River drainage
Former name of Raush River
53.2 N 120 W Google — GeoHack
Not currently an official name.
This former name of river appears on:
Trutch’s map of BC 1871

This name appears on B.C. Surveyor General Joseph Trutch’s 1871 map.

References:

  • Trutch, Joseph William [1826–1904]. Map of British Columbia to the 56th Parallel North Latitude. Victoria, B.C.: Lands and Works Office, 1871. University of Victoria

Cowdung Lake

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British Columbia. Former unofficial name: Fraser River drainage
Yellowhead Lake
52.8667 N 118.5333 W Google — GeoHack
Earliest known reference to this name is 1871 (Trutch)
Not currently an official name.
This former unofficial name appears on:
Milton and Cheadle’s map 1865
Trutch’s map of BC 1871
Detail of Trutch 1871 showing “Cowdung L.”

Detail of Trutch 1871 showing “Cowdung L.”

The name “Cowdung L.” appears on B.C. Surveyor General Joseph Trutch’s 1871 map of British Columbia, between Moose Lake and the Yellowhead or Leather Pass.

The name appeared as “Cow dung L.” on John Arrowsmith’s 1859 map.

References:

  • Trutch, Joseph William [1826–1904]. Map of British Columbia to the 56th Parallel North Latitude. Victoria, B.C.: Lands and Works Office, 1871. University of Victoria
  • British Columbia Geographical Names. Yellowhead Lake
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Avalanche Creek

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British Columbia. Creek: Columbia River drainage
Former name of tributary of Canoe River
52.7444 N 119.0972 W Google — GeoHack
Earliest known reference to this name is 1900 (McEvoy)
Not currently an official name.
This creek appears on:
McEvoy’s map Yellowhead Pass 1900
Collie’s map Yellowhead Pass 1912

Location approximater. Flows south into Canoe River south of Valemount. Possibly Dave Henry Creek, Yellowjacket Creek, Horse Creek.

References:

  • McEvoy, James [1862–1935]. “Map Showing Yellowhead Pass Route From Edmonton To Tête-Jaune Cache.” (1900). Natural Resources Canada
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Diamond Willow Creek

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British Columbia. Creek: Fraser River drainage
Flows S into Fraser River N of Dunster
53.1472 N 119.8389 W — Map 83E/4 — Google — GeoHack
Name officially adopted in 1994
Official in BC – Canada

No previous local name; recent community involvement in construction of campsite and picnic area here suggested that a name was desirable. Various suggestions were made by Dunster residents before they agreed with the 4-H Club proposal to name the creek and facilities for the abundance of “diamond” willow trees (Salix plenifolia, ssp pulchra) in the area.

References:

Dunster Creek

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British Columbia. Creek: Fraser River drainage
Flows N into Fraser River at Dunster
53.1336 N 119.8353 W Google — GeoHack
Name officially adopted in 2019
Official in BC – Canada

Adopted in 2019 as required by water licensing. Because no traditional or local name was brought forward, “Dunster Creek” was chosen because the stream flows through the community of Dunster.

References:

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Charlie Leake Field

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British Columbia. Airport
North of village of McBride
53.315 N 120.1705 W Google — GeoHack
Earliest known reference to this name is 2021
Not currently an official name.
Commanding Officer Charlie Leake

Commanding Officer Charlie Leake

McBride’s 830m airstrip is named for Lieutenant Colonel Charles Leake, CD, RCAF (ret’d) [ca. 1932–2024], raised in McBride. Leake retired after 27 years in the military and returned to the McBride area. He died in Comox, British Columbia.

Leake was a partner in CCI Aviation. CCI stood for Charlie Chitwood, Charlie Leake, and Ian Monroe.

The airstrip, CAV4, accommodates small aircraft, and is operated by the Village of McBride.

References:

  • Arnold, Andrea. “Charlie Leake, veteran, still soaring through life in his 80s.” Rocky Mountain Goat, November 10 (2020). Rocky Mountain Goat
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