or more of unsurveyed land which can be cultivated. The route
reconnoitred by Mr. Williams for a railroad would reach Nation River
about 5 miles below the outlet of the lower lake in a wide area of arable
land drained by Nation River and its tributaries, Suschona River and
Weffsicka Creek. Nation River heads in the Kwanika Mountains, and
fed by Tsayta Lake, which drains from the mountains near the eastern
landing on Takla Lake, it widens into Indata Lake, and flows through
two lakes lying east and west—Tchentlo Lake, altitude 2,415 feet, and
Chuchi Lake, 2,413 feet. Thence the winding river has a general north-
easterly course to Parsnip River, which it enters at latitude 55° 35’ N. at
elevation of 2,100 feet. The river varies in width from 150 to 350 feet,
is swift, and carries a considerable volume. Leaving the lower lake it

me

THE NATION RIVER VALLEY.

has a series of boulder-strewn rapids for a few miles and then becomes
a large stream, 350 feet wide at the 124th meridian, with rapid current,
and at high water has considerable volume. The flow is variable. The
river has been found fordable by horses in September where they had
to swim in July. It is navigable from the rapids below the lake to a
canyoh about 15 miles above the confluence with Parsnip River. The
valley narrows after crossing the 124th meridian.

Tchentlo Lake, 22 miles long, and Chuchi Lake, 18 miles long, with
the connective river 11%4 miles long, drain a wide plateau area north and
south with a large area suitable for agriculture. J. M. Milligan, B.C.L.S.,
in 1913 said: ‘The main valley of the Nation Lakes extends directly

Fifteen.