Nqw'elqw'elusten - MEAGER CREEK HOTSPRINGS

SITE CLOSED. The hot springs are closed in order to protect important cultural values, biological diversity, wildlife habitat, sensitive/rare/and at-risk species, and Lil̓wat citizens' ability to carry out traditional use practices. The Province will be enforcing this closure and will issue violation tickets to anyone caught ignoring the restrictions.

Nqw'elqw'elusten (Meager Creek) Hot Springs are within Lil̓wat Nation territory. This is a place of cultural and spiritual significance for Lil̓wat Nation.

The hot springs, and Stuqalts (the Upper Lillooet River Valley), provide important habitat for many wildlife species, including the threatened South Chilcotin grizzly bear population. The Upper Lillooet is a very important wildlife migration corridor for deer, moose, and mountain goats. Mineral licks at the hot springs provide wildlife with year-round nutrients. The hot springs are also home to the vivid dancer damselfly, a species of special concern that is threatened by intensive recreational use. Meager Creek Hot Springs is the only known location within BC where the American bulrush (Schoenoplectus americanus) grows.

The Mount Meager Volcanic Complex is one of the most geologically active areas in North America. In August 2010, warm weather triggered the collapse of approximately 53 million cubic meters of rock and debris from the south flank of Q̓welq̓welústen (Mount Meager), generating the largest historic landslide in Canada. The landslide destroyed several roads in the area, as well as the bridge across the Lillooet River. The Meager Creek Drainage is prone to extremely large landslides, avalanches, and flooding/washouts.

Please respect this site closure.

No access, this site is closed.