The Squamish River is a short but very large river in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Its drainage basin is 3,328 square kilometres (1,285 sq mi) in size. The total length of the Squamish River is approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi). The Squamish River drains a complex of basins in the Coast Mountains just north of Vancouver. Its flows generally south to the head of Howe Sound where the town of Squamish is located. The Squamish River originates at the toe of the Pemberton Icefield. As it flows south from the glacier, it is joined by several more glacier fed tributaries.