| Nagha Creek | |
| Pushpin Map: | British Columbia |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Mouth of Nagha Creek |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Canada |
| Subdivision Type2: | Province |
| Subdivision Name2: | British Columbia |
| Subdivision Type3: | District |
| Subdivision Name3: | Cassiar Land District |
| Length: | 15km (09miles) |
| Discharge1 Avg: | 1.43m3/s |
| Source1: | Kitsu Peak |
| Source1 Location: | Spectrum Range |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 57.4164°N -130.7167°W[1] |
| Source1 Elevation: | 1800m (5,900feet) |
| Mouth: | Kitsu Creek |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 57.5058°N -130.8558°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 690m (2,260feet) |
| Basin Size: | 46.6km2 |
| Custom Label: | Topo map |
Nagha Creek is a tributary of Kitsu Creek and part of the Stikine River watershed in northwest part of the province of British Columbia, Canada.[2] It flows generally northwest and north for roughly 15km (09miles)[3] to join Kitsu Creek, a tributary of Mess Creek, which in turn is a tributary of the Stikine River.
Nagha Creek's mean annual discharge is estimated at 1.43m3/s. Its watershed covers 46.6km2 and is entirely in Mount Edziza Provincial Park. The watershed's land cover is classified as 38.5% barren, 29.8% conifer forest, 13.4% shrubland, 11.9% snow/glacier, 5.5% herbaceous, and small amounts of other cover.[4]
The mouth of Nagha Creek is located about 48km (30miles) south of Telegraph Creek, British Columbia, about 115km (71miles) southwest of Dease Lake, British Columbia, and about 228km (142miles) southeast of Juneau, Alaska.[3]
Nagha Creek is in Mount Edziza Provincial Park, which lies within the traditional territory of the Tahltan First Nation, of the Tahltan people.[5] [6]
The name "Nagha" comes from a Tahltan word for wolverine. According to BC Geographical Names, the creek was named "Nagha" because during time of survey a wolverine frequently visited a sheep carcass on the ice near the surveying party.
Nagha Creek originates from Nagha Glacier near Kitsu Peak and Yeda Peak in the Spectrum Range, about 33km (21miles) south of Mount Edziza.
From its source, Nagha Creek flows between Yagi Ridge, to the south, and the Kitsu Plateau, to the north. It then flows through conifer forests to join Kitsu Creek near Mess Lake. After its confluence with Nagha Creek, Kitsu Creek flows about 1km (01miles) before emptying into Mess Creek.[3] Nagha Creek's watershed is in the southern part of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex.[7] [8]
The steep, south-facing side of Nagha Creek contains a conical, 60m (200feet) and 400m (1,300feet) volcanic crater called The Ash Pit. This is the youngest and southernmost volcanic vent in the Mess Lake Lava Field, as well as possibly the youngest volcanic feature in the entire Mount Edziza volcanic complex.[9]