Bella Coola River From its beginning at the junction of the
Atnarko and the Talchako, to its mouth on North Bentinck Arm,
the Bella Coola River runs for about 70 kilometres, draining an
area of approximately 1,600 square kilometres. The Bella Coola
River represents a typical coastal watershed with a
predominantly natural vegetation cover. The watershed is also
home to a rich variety of wildlife, such as grizzly and black
bear, moose, black tail deer, mule deer, mountain goat, cougar,
wolf, coyote, red fox, and river otter. The river supports fish
populations of various types, including salmonids such as
sockeye, pink, chum, chinook, and coho, as well as steelhead,
cutthroat, Dolly Varden, and rainbow trout. Land use along the
Bella Coola River is primarily agricultural, particularly in the
lower reaches of the river. Logging is also important in the
region and along many of the river's tributaries. The river
itself supports both a commercial fishery and Native food
fishery. Central to the character of the riv