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The Land : River Diversion
The Land

Colonial Settlers

Community of Villages

Pre-emptions

Agriculture

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One of the more spectacular changes to the local landscape occurred in the last century. Before 1875, all of the water from the Chilliwack River flowed north from Vedder Crossing in a channel that is located adjacent to today's Chilliwack River Road. On November 22, 1875 a heavy rainstorm resulted in a logjam blocking the Chilliwack River channel. Water was diverted equally into a small creek, Vedder Creek, that flowed off Vedder Mountain and Luckakuk Creek that flowed through Sardis, causing hardship for Sardis farmers. In 1882, according to Fred Toop, "Someone dropped a big tree across the head of these three streams [the Chilliwack, Luckakuck and Atchelitz]…it soon formed a jam and held the water up, [and] poured some of it through the country west into Sumas Lake." A freshet in 1894 ensured that the blockage became permanent. This blockage resulted in stability for the Sardis farmers and problems for others.
Hand drawn map based on oral history interviews by Oliver N. Wells, showing watercourses and early trails from 1865 to 1899. Map 383

Hand drawn map based on oral history interviews by Oliver N. Wells, showing watercourses and early trails from 1865 to 1899. Map 383

 Hand coloured photograph showing overhead view of bridges at Vedder Crossing and Vedder River, ca. 1943-1944. P5674.

Hand coloured photograph showing overhead view of bridges at Vedder Crossing and Vedder River, ca. 1943-1944. P5674.

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