Stuart River (Canada)

Stuart
Location
Country	Canada
Province	British Columbia
District	Cariboo Land District
Physical characteristics
Source	Stuart Lake
• coordinates	54°26′21″N 124°16′7″W / 54.43917°N 124.26861°W / 54.43917; -124.26861[3]
• elevation	673 m (2,208 ft)[4]
Mouth	Nechako River
• coordinates	53°59′17″N 123°32′28″W / 53.98806°N 123.54111°W / 53.98806; -123.54111[5]
• elevation	613 m (2,011 ft)[4]
Length	187 km (116 mi)[1]
Discharge
• location	near Fort St. James[2]
• average	131 m3/s (4,600 cu ft/s)[2]
• minimum	20.4 m3/s (720 cu ft/s)
• maximum	592 m3/s (20,900 cu ft/s)

The Stuart River or Nak'alkoh^[6] (Dakelh name) is one of the largest tributaries of the Nechako River in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. The Nechako is in turn one the more important tributaries of the Fraser River. The Stuart River flows 187 kilometres (116 mi) from Stuart Lake to its junction with the Nechako River.^[1] The river drains a portion of the Nechako Plateau—a gently rolling region characterized by small lakes and tributaries. Low but impressive ridges interact with the river, creating high bluffs and hoodoos.

The Stuart River's watershed is the northernmost part of the Fraser River's drainage basin. Although the Stuart River itself begins at the south end of Stuart Lake there are many additional rivers and lakes in the watershed. Far to the north the Sakeniche River and Driftwood River flow into Takla Lake, which empties into the Middle River, which in turn flows to Trembleur Lake. The Tachie River flows south from Trembleur Lake to Stuart Lake.^[1] a journey of at least 290 kilometres (180 mi).^[7]

The river has been named as one of twenty British Columbia heritage rivers.^[8]