The Peace River District
By
F. H. Kirro, D.L.S., M.E.I1.C.,

Exploratory Engineer, Natural Resources Intelligence Branch

i \HE Peace River district of Canada has been for many years the subject
of interest and speculation. Alluring tales from adventurous pioneers
of its wonderful resources, its charming climate and varying scenery,

had long since lent to the district that charm of romance which distance and
uncertainty blend with glowing promises. Now the land so long famed by
legend and mystery is becoming a reality. Modern transportation has brought
it to our doors, and searching trials and tests are proving it to be all and more
than was represented. The tales were not myths: the truth was but partly told;
and new treasures of the district are daily being unfolded before our eyes.

This district, the drainage basin of the Peace river, lies in the northern parts
of the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. It extends approximately
from latitude 54° to 59° north and from longitude 112° to 125° west, and is a
part of the great Mackenzie River drainage basin. Sloping down from the Rocky
mountains, it sweeps eastward and northward over a huge plateau extending
to lake Athabaska and the Athabaska and Slave rivers.

The area of the Peace River drainage basin exceeds 115,000 square miles,
of which approximately 66,395 square miles are in Alberta and 49,367 in British
Columbia. Of this large area, the greater part within the province of Alberta,
especially the territory lying immediately on either side of Peace river, is proving
suitable for agriculture, either for mixed farming or ranching. To this must
be added a block of three and a half million acres known as The Peace River
block, lying within the province of British Columbia and adjacent to Alberta.
The balance of the area in British Columbia, while containing much valuable
agricultural land in various valleys, is principally a mountainous region. With
those portions of the area in Alberta lying at the headwaters of the various
tributaries of the main river, it forms a vast area of mineral and timber resources,
the extent of which is only beginning to be realized.

The Peace River

The Peace river itself, beautiful and majestic, has its origin in these eastern
slopes of the Rockies of northern British Columbia. It flows through mountain