The Petitcodiac Tidal Bore, Pet-Kout-Koy-ek

In the beginning was the Great Spirit, who created everything in the sky, in the ocean and on the earth. He created the first man, whose name was Glooscap. And he created Pet-Kout-Koy-ek, the River That Bends Like a Bow.

Today the water of Pet-Kout-Koy-ek is brown like chocolate. But in ancient times it was clear and fresh. One day a monster Eel swam down the river, pushing all the fish and fresh water into the salty bay.

Turtle told Glooscap about the wicked Eel’s misdeeds and the harm he had inflicted upon the river and its creatures. So Glooscap gave great powers to Lobster, who grew gigantic and strong enough to fight the Eel.

Their battle stirred up the mud of Pet-Kout-Koy-ek, turning the water brown, and sent waves far up the river. They fought long and hard, until Lobster prevailed and Eel was killed.

Even today, however, the battle takes place twice a day on the river now called the Petitcodiac. The wave, which forms as Lobster pushes Eel back inland, is known to most as the tidal bore.