Chakima Creek

{{Short description|Tribuatary river in the country of Canada}} {{Infobox river | name = Chakima Creek | name_native = | name_native_lang = | name_other = | name_etymology =  | image = | image_caption = | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = British Columbia | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption = Mouth of Chakima Creek  | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = [[Canada]] | subdivision_type2 = Province | subdivision_name2 = [[British Columbia]] | subdivision_type3 = District | subdivision_name3 = [[Cassiar Land District]] | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 =  | length = {{convert|19|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=length/> | discharge1_location = | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = {{convert|1.49|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}<ref name=watertool/> | discharge1_max =  | source1 = Near [[Cartoona Peak]] | source1_location = [[Tahltan Highland]] | source1_coordinates = {{coord|57|34|59|N|130|37|45|W|display=inline}}<ref>Derived from BCGNIS, topographic maps, and [https://atlas.gc.ca/toporama/en/index.html Toporama]</ref> | source1_elevation = {{convert|1815|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=toporama/> | mouth = [[Shaman Creek]] | mouth_location = | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|57|36|41|N|130|24|50|W|display=inline,title}}<ref name=bcgnis/><ref name=toporama/> | mouth_elevation = {{convert|780|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=toporama/> | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = {{convert|100|km2|abbr=on}}<ref name=watertool/> | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | custom_label = [[Topographic map|Topo map]] | custom_data = [[National Topographic System|NTS]] {{Canada NTS Map Sheet|104|G|9}}<br>[[National Topographic System|NTS]] {{Canada NTS Map Sheet|104|G|10}} | extra = }} '''Chakima Creek''' is a [[tributary]] of [[Shaman Creek]] and part of the [[Stikine River]] [[drainage basin|watershed]] in northwest part of the [[Provinces and territories of Canada|province]] of [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]].<ref name=bcgnis>{{BCGNIS|4870|Chakima Creek}}</ref> From its source in the mountains south of [[Mount Edziza]], near [[Cartoona Peak]] and [[Tadeda Peak]], it flows generally east for roughly {{convert|19|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=length>Lengths and distances measured using BCGNIS coordinates, topographic maps, online map servers, and [https://atlas.gc.ca/toporama/en/index.html Toporama]</ref> to empty into Shaman Creek, which flows to [[Kakiddi Creek]], a tributary of the [[Klastline River]], which in turn is a tributary of the Stikine River.<ref name=bcgnis/>

Chakima Creek's mean annual [[Discharge (hydrology)|discharge]] is estimated at {{convert|1.49|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}. Its [[Drainage basin|watershed]] covers {{convert|100|km2|abbr=on}}, and is mostly within [[Mount Edziza Provincial Park]]. The watershed's [[land cover]] is classified as 45.7% [[Conifer|conifer forest]], 26.6% [[shrubland]], 14.0% [[Barren vegetation|barren]], 9.6% [[Herbaceous plant|herbaceous]], and small amounts of other cover.<ref name=watertool>{{cite web |url= https://nwwt.bcwatertool.ca |title= Northwest Water Tool |work= BC Water Tool |publisher= GeoBC, Integrated Land Management Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Government of British Columbia |accessdate= 10 October 2023}}</ref>

The mouth of Chakima Creek is located about {{convert|55|km|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Telegraph Creek]], British Columbia, about {{convert|70|km|abbr=on}} north of [[Bob Quinn Lake]], British Columbia, and about {{convert|250|km|abbr=on}} east of [[Juneau, Alaska]].<ref name=length/>

Chakima Creek is in [[Mount Edziza Provincial Park]], which lies within the traditional territory of the [[Tahltan First Nation]], of the [[Tahltan]] people.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://tahltan.org/our-territory |title= Our Territory |publisher= Tahltan Central Government |accessdate= 29 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://tahltan.ca/nation/territory |title= Dah Ki Mi — "Our House" |publisher= Tahltan Band Council |accessdate= 29 September 2023}}</ref>

The name "Chakima" was created from the Talhtan words ''cha'' "beaver" and ''kima'' "house", referring to the maze of [[beaver dam]]s and ponds in the area where Chakima Creek joins Shaman Creek.<ref name=bcgnis/>

==Geography== Chakima Creek originates in the high peaks south of [[Mount Edziza]], north of Tadeda Peak and south of Cartoona Peak. From its source about {{convert|15|km|abbr=on}} south of the summit of Mount Edziza, Chakima Creek flows generally east for about {{convert|19|km|abbr=on}}. It is joined by numerous unnamed tributaries which drain various mountains such as Esja Peak and Hoyaa Peak.<ref>{{BCGNIS|8195|Esja Peak}}</ref><ref>{{BCGNIS|14868|Hoyaa Peak}}</ref> In its lower reaches it makes a southward curve, coming close to Mowdade Lake,<ref>{{BCGNIS|8195|Mowdade Lake}}</ref> then bending northward into a large wetland area. It flows through the northern end Mowchilla Lake,<ref>{{BCGNIS|8192|Mowchilla Lake}}</ref> then continues northeast through wetlands to empty into Shaman Creek. Mowchilla Lake and the various unnamed creeks that empty into it are part of Chakima Creek's watershed.<ref name=toporama>{{cite web |url= http://atlas.gc.ca/toporama/en/index.html |title= Toporama (on-line map and search) |work= [[Atlas of Canada]] |publisher= [[Natural Resources Canada]] |accessdate= 4 October 2023}}</ref><ref name=watertool/><ref name=mapbook>{{cite book |last1= Mussio |first1= Russell |last2= Mussio |first2= Wesley |title= Northern BC Backroad Mapbook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pBAFEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA99 |accessdate= 10 October 2023 |date= 2018 |publisher= Mussio Ventures |isbn= 978-1-926806-87-7 |pages= 99–100}}</ref>

Chakima Creek's watershed is part of the [[Mount Edziza volcanic complex]]. It is mostly within Mount Edziza Provincial Park. Chakima Creek itself is entirely within the park. Chakima Creek flows through Mowchilla Lake, and some of that lake's unnamed tributaries, which are part of Chakima Creek's watershed, drain areas to the south and east of Mowchilla Lake, outside of Mount Edziza Provincial Park.<ref name=toporama/><ref name=watertool/><ref name=mapbook/>

==See also== *[[List of rivers of British Columbia]]

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{cite cgndb|id=JAIUP|title=Chakima Creek}}

[[Category:Cassiar Land District]] [[Category:Rivers of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex]] [[Category:Stikine Country]] [[Category:Tahltan place names]] [[Category:Mount Edziza Provincial Park]]