Grant Narrows Regional Park

Historical Overview

The earliest known inhabitants of the Pitt Polder area are the Katzie Indians.  The Indian Reserve located on the north side of the river across from the boat launch site is a former Indian village.  Ethnographic evidence also suggests that other villages may have existed along the shores of Pitt River and other waterways in the area, however, little archeological evidence is likely to remain because of historic flooding and the construction of dykes.

Physiography

The Park side is located at the narrows which mark the beginning of Pitt River  and the mouth of Pitt Lake.  Because of low elevation, tidal fluctuations affect water flow in the narrows.  During periods of high tide, surface water elevations rise on the Fraser River causing a downstream blockage of the Pitt River flow and a back up of water into Pitt Lake.  A certain amount of reversal flow may be experienced at Grant Narrows. 

A flood tide surface velocity of 71 cm/second has been recorded at Grant Narrows during this reverse flow.  Across the narrows from the park side is Siwash Island and the entrance to Widgeon Creek.  This creek meanders northward through the Widgeon valley and is a favorite recreation area for canoeists.  The Provincial Park, Pinecone Burke, manages a wilderness picnic side in the Widgeon Valley which is a popular destination area easily accessible by canoe.  From there you can then hike to the falls an hour away or hike to Widgeon Lake about 10 km away.