Chapter I
INTRODUCTION

Nechako River map-area lies between latitudes 53 and 54 degrees and between
longitudes 124 and 126 degrees, and comprises an area of about 5,800 square
miles near the geographic centre of British Columbia.

Accessibility

The Canadian National Railways and the Northern Transprovincial Highway
lie immediately to the north. Secondary roads and farm roads, negotiable by
automobiles, form a connecting network in the northwestern and northeastern
parts, and extend as far south as Kenney Dam and the outlet of Ootsa Lake.
A passable car road extends from Batnuni Lake eastward to Quesnel, about
120 miles.

Travel by boat is practicable on most of the larger lakes and rivers in the
west half of the area. Flooding of low country above Kenney Dam has not
greatly impaired the value of water transport, and navigable waterways extend
70 miles westward from the area.

The numerous lakes afford many excellent landing places for float-
equipped aircraft making almost any part of the area accessible. Aircraft for
hire are based at Burns Lake and at Prince George.

Many excellent wagon roads, some sleigh roads, and pack-trails that are
rapidly falling into disuse, reach into the more remote parts. In the south half
of the area the wagon roads between the many Indian Reserves are kept in good
repair. The forested areas are fairly clear of undergrowth and windfall and only
in burned areas is travel greatly impeded. Swamps, although numerous, are
mostly small and easily crossed or avoided. Back-packing is seldom - necessary.

Settlement

The area is sparsely settled. In the northwestern quarter a few ranchers and
farmers live in the vicinity of Grassy Plains, Danskin, Cheslatta, and Marilla—the
local post offices. Small communities near the east end of Francois Lake, near
Lily Lake, around Tachik and Nulki Lakes, and along Nechako River represent
the outermost fringe of settlement spreading southward from the railway, and a
few trappers and ranchers live at Tatuk Lake, at Batnuni Lake, and along the
upper part of West Road River.

The Indian population is fairly large but widely scattered. The largest Indian
community is the Stony Creek Reserve with thirty or more houses and a church.

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