Which River is Known as the Chocolate River?

There are more than 165 major rivers and thousands of smaller streams on Earth. But did you know there’s a river in Canada that flows with thick creamy chocolate syrup? Just kidding!

Even though we might hope it's true, the real reason is much more “earthy”. The Petitcodiac River in New Brunswick, Canada, has earned this title because it looks just like a big, swirling bowl of hot cocoa or chocolate milk.

The river looks chocolate-coloured not because of real chocolate, but because it contains a lot of silt and mud. This gives the water its deep cocoa colour.

Now that you know the name, there’s something important to know. At one point, it was nearly lost, but a major engineering project saved it. Can you guess what happened?

For that, you’ve read further to know more about the unusual science behind its colour and learn about the amazing comeback of Canada’s most unusual river.

ALSO READ| Which River is Known as the Milk River of India?

Which River is Known as the Chocolate River?

Source: ReNew Canada

The Petitcodiac River in New Brunswick, Canada, is often called the "Chocolate River". It starts where the Anagance and North rivers meet in southeastern New Brunswick.

The river travels 79 kilometres, winding through Moncton before reaching Shepody Bay, part of the Bay of Fundy. Unlike many long rivers that cross borders, the Petitcodiac stays entirely within Canada.

The river’s brown colour is not from pollution. Instead, the strong tides of the Bay of Fundy stir up red clay and silt from the riverbed, making the water look like milk chocolate.

7 Fascinating Facts About the Chocolate River

• The river’s brown colour comes from high concentrations of suspended sediment stirred up by the world's highest tides.
• A natural phenomenon occurs twice daily where a visible wave of water travels upstream, reversing the river's flow.
• Professional surfers travel to this river to ride the tidal bore wave for distances of up to 29 kilometres.
• The specific "chocolate" hue is created by the erosion of Triassic-era red sandstone and shale found in the region.
• After a causeway was replaced by a bridge in 2021, the river's natural flow and fish migration were successfully restored.
• The thick silt acts as a conveyor belt, moving vital nutrients from the ocean deep into the inland marshlands.
• During high tide, the water level can rise as much as 1 meter in just a few minutes as the tide rushes in.

IN CASE YOU MISSED| Which River Is Known As The ‘River Of Five Colours’?

Which Species of Fishes Have Finally Returned to the Petitcodiac River?

Fish have returned to the Petitcodiac River, making it one of North America’s best environmental comeback stories.

For years, a rock-fill causeway blocked the river and kept fish from reaching their spawning grounds. After the gates opened and a new bridge was built in 2021, the "Chocolate River" began to thrive again.

Fish Species Making a Comeback

• Atlantic Salmon: Once nearly extinct in this area, these "kings of fish" are now spotted leaping through the muddy waters to reach clear upstream pebbled beds.
• American Shad: These fish are known as "river herrings" and have returned in massive schools, travelling from the salt water of the Bay of Fundy into the fresh water.
• Striped Bass: A favourite for local anglers, these powerful predators follow the tidal bore upstream to hunt in the nutrient-rich silt.
• American Eel: These mysterious travellers migrate all the way from the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean to live in the Petitcodiac's murky depths.

The thick, brown sediment helps protect these fish by hiding them from predators such as eagles and ospreys. This muddy water serves as camouflage, allowing the fish to travel safely through the city.

Where is the Chocolate River Located?

The Chocolate River runs through southeastern New Brunswick, Canada, passing through Westmorland and Albert counties. In Moncton, many people visit Riverfront Park to watch the river’s changing waters. The river begins where the Anagance and North Rivers meet and flows about 79 kilometres to the Bay of Fundy.

Why is the Petitcodiac River Brown?

The river looks brown because the Bay of Fundy tides, the highest in the world, are so powerful. When the huge tide flows into the river mouth twice a day, it mixes everything up like a blender.

Here’s an easy explanation for why the river is this colour:

• Stirring the Bottom: Fast-moving tidal water scrapes along the riverbed and the banks.
• Red Clay and Silt: The ground here is made of red sandstone and clay. The water breaks up this clay into tiny pieces called silt.
• Suspension: Since the water moves quickly and stays rough, the heavy mud stays mixed in instead of settling at the bottom.
• The Result: This mixture creates a thick, opaque liquid that looks exactly like creamy chocolate milk.

YOU MIGHT LIKE| Which River Is Known As The Silver River?

Conclusion

Source: cbc.ca

The Petitcodiac River’s recovery is a remarkable story. For more than 40 years, a rock-fill causeway blocked the river’s flow and wiped out its fish.

By the early 2000s, the “Chocolate River” had become a stagnant pond and was listed among Canada’s most endangered rivers. Then, a major restoration project turned things around.

In 2021, a new 240-metre bridge opened, letting the tides return. Now, the river runs freely, the silt moves again, and the chocolate-coloured waves are back.

WHAT'S NEXT| Which River Is Known As The River Of Nine Dragons?