Downstream of the canyon, between Hope and Mission, the main stem of the Fraser meanders through a shifting riverscape of gravel bars and islands, sloughs and wetlands, forests and floodplains. This is the Gravel Reach. The complexity of the Gravel Reach - often referred to as the Heart of the Fraser - makes it one of the most productive stretches of river in the world.
The Gravel Reach is at the centre of a resource-rich ecosystem. It is also at the edge of B.C.'s largest population centre. The ecological balance of the river is challenged by urban encroachment and industrial activity.
On this site you'll find stories of the Fraser River's Gravel Reach, its past, its plants and animals, and the human activity it supports.
Have fun exploring the Fraser!