3490 - Fraser River, Sand Heads to Douglas Island Nautical Chart

Master the River: 3490 - Fraser River, Sand Heads to Douglas Island

Navigate the powerful currents and shifting sands of the Fraser River with the professional precision of the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS). Chart 3490 is the essential "road map" for mariners transiting the South Arm of the Fraser River, covering the critical stretch from the Sand Heads entrance at the Strait of Georgia upriver to Douglas Island and New Westminster.

Essential Data for a Dynamic Waterway

The Fraser River is a high-stakes environment characterized by significant siltation, heavy industrial traffic, and powerful tidal influences. CHS Chart 3490 provides the specialized data required for safe passage:

• Detailed River Bathymetry: Provides the most accurate depth soundings available for the deep-draft channels serving the Annacis Island and Richmond terminals.

• Navigation through the Delta: Crucial for identifying the shifting sandbars and "deadheads" (submerged logs) common near Steveston and the Westham Island bridge.

• Aids to Navigation: Clearly marks the extensive system of range lights, buoys, and beacons that define the safe channel amidst the river's complex currents.

• Submarine Cables & Pipelines: Identifies critical underwater infrastructure to ensure safe anchoring for commercial and fishing vessels.

The Standard for Port Safety & Resupply

As commercial shipping and the development of ocean resources expand in the Lower Mainland, the role of Chart 3490 is more vital than ever. Whether you are a river pilot guiding a container ship, a commercial fisherman out of Steveston, or a recreational boater heading upriver, this chart provides the "ground-truth" data necessary for safe, port-to-port navigation.