Ideas Workshop Posters - City of Port Alberni

Waterfront
North Study
Did you Know
Interesting Facts from the Waterfront North
What’s in a name
Port Alberni was named for Captain
Pere d'Alberní, a Spanish officer, who
commanded Fort San Miguel at Nootka
Sound on Vancouver Island's west coast
from 1790 to 1792.
The name Somass is derived from a Nuuchah-nulth
word that means “washing.”
Nature at our doorstep…
The Somass Estuary is one of the most unique environments in BC:
Studies of the estuary identified 204 plant species, 20 species of special significance and nine
different plant communities – showing more diversity than most estuary environments.
It is one of the most important sites on Vancouver Island for wintering and migratory waterfowl.
Reports suggest over 100 species of birds use the area for wintering, staging or resting/
feeding, including the blue-listed Trumpeter Swan and Great Blue Heron.
Many mammals have been observed in the estuary, including Columbian Black-tailed Deer,
Black Bear, Beaver, Mink, Red Squirrel, Raccoon, Vagrant Shrew, Townsend’s Vole, Deer Mouse,
Muskrat, River Otter and bats.
Great Blue Heron
Image: Dave & Jocie Ingram
Fascinating culture…
Nature at its fiercest…
Things are kind of fishy in Port Alberni…
Somass River
Image: Erica Watson
The name Kitsuksis is derived from
a Nuu-chah-nulth word meaning “log
across mouth of creek.”
Rogers Creek was named after A.B.
Rogers, the discoverer of Rogers Pass,
when he surveyed in the Alberni Valley
for the Canadian Pacific Railway in the
late 19th century.
Clutesi Haven Marina is named after
George Clutesi, a Tseshaht artist,
actor and writer who was regarded as
a national expert on Native Canadian
culture. In 1959 he received the British
Columbia Centennial Award and the
Canada Centennial Medal in 1967.
Have a whale of a time! The Whaling
Monument at Harbour Quay depicts
Nuu-chah-nulth whalers pursuing
a California gray whale. One of the
many resources that was utilized
and respected was the whale. This
majestic mammal was looked upon
as one of the greatest gifts granted
to the Nuu-chah-nulth by the Creators
and was treated as such by the Nuuchah-nulth
whalers.
Whaling Monument
Image: Kevstan
1964 Tsunami Aftermath
Image: Iain McKain (Province Files)
Just after midnight March 28, 1964
Port Alberni was hit by a tsunami. The
Tsunami had been triggered by an 8.6
Magnitude earthquake near Anchorage,
Alaska. After a first wave hit, rescuers
worked to evacuate the waterfront area
before the second, larger wave arrived,
cresting at 3m (10’) above the normal high
tide mark. While property damage was
abundant, Port Alberni was fortunate to
report no casualties from the event.
There are five species of Pacific Salmon in the Somass River –
Chinook, Sockeye, Coho, Chum and Pink, as well as summer
and winter steelhead runs.
Port Alberni is Canada’s Ultimate Fishing Town! In 2010 the
World Fishing Network sponsored a contest for Canada’s
Ultimate Fishing Town and Port Alberni was the winner. Today,
in Victoria Quay, you’ll find a sign celebrating the achievement.
Port Alberni Salmon Fest has been celebrated for 41 years. In
recent years, crowds of 2,500 have gathered at Clutesi Marina
to participate in the fishing derby and enjoy entertainment.
Canada’s Ultimate Fishing Town
Image: Golder Associates