Nicholas River is synonymous with Nicola River which flows west past Merritt and then
into the Thompson River at Spences Bridge. The name originated from a nickname given to a famous Indigenous
Chief, whose name was Nwistesmeekin, by French fur traders who called him “Nicolas.”
They would often refer to the river and its adjoining district as “Nicolas' country.”1
“Lac de Nicolas” and “R. Nicolas” appear on A.C. Anderson's 1869 map . The river is known for its historic salmon spawning tributary.2