Canoe River adopted in the 1930 BC Gazetteer, as labelled on Trutch's 1871 map of British Columbia, and on numerous early maps, and as labelled on 1915 map of Big Bend area; confirmed 12 December 1939 on BC map 5D: "flows south into Columbia River at Big Bend". Coordinates of mouth altered 11 March 1974 on 83 D/14, because of the flooding behind Mica Dam; the lower portion of the original watercourse is now Canoe Reach, Kinbasket Lake.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

So-named by David Thompson, North West Company, who wintered at the mouth of this river 22 January to 17 April 1811. On the latter date he started down the Columbia River on his journey to the Pacific Ocean. Canoe River and Boat Encampment commemorate the construction of his canoes and location of his winter camp, respectively ("Place Names in Vicinity of Yellowhead Pass" by James White, Canadian Alpine Journal, vol VI, 1914-15, pp.143-158. Description of river from surveyors reports on file A.1.61

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office