Douglas Channel

This is the view of the Douglas Channel, the 80 mile fjord coming up from the ocean which makes Kitimat a deep sea port. You can see Kitimaat Village on the left which was a much older aboriginal settlement, before pioneers arrived here late 1800 to early 1900's. Today's Haisla population represents a mix of coastal Tsimshian and Kwakiutl people. They have a busy fishing harbor, traditional totem poles, canoes and the Haisla school, which represents an exceptional archectural mix of traditional and modern design.
Today's city of Kitimat wasn't really born until 1950 when Alcan started developing the aluminum industry. Invited by the B.C, government, Alcan established the Nechako Reservoir, behind the massive Kenney Dam, south of Vanderhoof. Water was carried through a 16 km tunnel through the Coastal Mountains to a hydro generating station built at Kemano. With no room there, the aluminum smelter and deep-sea port were built at the head of the Kitimat Arm. Power to supply the community and smelter was carried over a 60 km transmission line built thorough some of the most rugged mountain territory in B.C.
Kitimat's first inhabitants were an army of construction workers who cleared the thick coastal forest of the Kitimat Valley and forged a new industry and community for the future employees and residents. Today it is a modern, planned community with a hospital, school system and recreational facilities that are the envy of other established communities amidst beautiful nature.