Boating
the Large Lakes of
BC's Thompson Nicola & Shuswap
Shuswap Lake:
Welcome
to the Shuswap
. . . to the lake and the communities along the lake
shore. Shuswap
Lake is one of the most popular boating spots
in British Columbia. This odd shaped four armed lake
that makes a ragged H has approximately 1000 km. (630
mi.) of shoreline. The Monashee
Mountains and the Shuswap Highlands with peaks
reaching up to 2,200 metres (7,200 ft.) surround the
Shuswap making it a very stunning and scenic part
of BC's High Country.
Every
summer visitors come from all over to enjoy the sunny
weather and the extra ordinary natural beauty of the
lake. Shuswap Lake, with its four arms is a haven
for boating, water skiing, fishing,
swimming, sunbathing, and houseboating. On land recreational
activities include biking,
hiking, birdwatching
(Salmon Arm Bay), golfing,
and tennis. Visit museums, discover historic sites,
explore the craft shops and art galleries. The Shuswap
area has something for everyone.
Photo taken at Sicamous
Houseboating
is a very pleasant and relaxing way to see the lake.
There are many houseboat rental and charter facilities
at Sicamous
and Salmon
Arm. In fact, Sicamous is known as the Houseboat
Capital of Canada. A houseboat, your home away from
home on water, makes exploring fun. Hideaway for an
afternoon in a quiet cove and watch the world go by.
Visit the quiet and secluded North Shuswap, where
there are many private campgrounds, and Shuswap Provincial
Park. Explore both the Seymour and Ansley Arms
where the wilderness meets the lake and civilization
is left alone.
Serving
as the hub of the region is Salmon Arm, situated on
the shores of the Salmon Arm of the Shuswap. It is
the centre for commerce and government services. The
regions' communities of Chase,
Sorrento,
Tappen, Canoe, Sicamous and Salmon Arm offer an excellent
selection of accommodations
including RV parks, camp sites, motels and hotels,
marinas and moorage, restaurants and pubs. Discover
the sun and fun of Shuswap Lake and the nearby communities.
Kinbasket Lake and Lake Revelstoke:
The
Columbia River Treaty, signed in 1964 between British
Columbia and the United States, changed the Columbia
River forever. This was the start of a mega hydro
electric power project that eventually built dams
and reservoirs, flooding and closing the Big Bend
Highway, flooding small communities, a hot springs
pool, and the road between Golden
and Valemount.
The
Mica Dam holds back the greatly enlarged Kinbasket
Lake, and the Revelstoke Dam keeps Lake Revelstoke
in check. Both lakes offer hours of pleasure boating
and great fishing. The catch
of the day could be kokanee, Dolly Varden, Mountain
whitefish, rainbow and cutthroat trout.
The
community of Revelstoke
and it's surrounding area means great hiking, mountain
biking, horseback riding, golfing, and canoeing.
Take a trip down the Columbia River, glimpse into
the past with a self guided heritage walking or driving
tour of Revelstoke. Visit Craigellachie,
see where they drove the Last Spike into the CPR Line.
Learn about hardships encountered by the men who toiled
building the railway with a visit to the Revelstoke
Railway Museum. In winter enjoy snowmobiling, down
hill and cross country skiing, for the adventurer
there's heli-skiing and snowcat skiing.
View
the great Columbia River and how man has harnessed
the water power to make electricity. Both the Revelstoke
Dam and the Mica Dam offer free tours. Mica Dam, is
the highest earth-filled dam in North America. 146
km. (90 mi.) north of Revelstoke it holds back Kinbasket
Lake and offers a spectacular mountain view of the
Columbia River Valley. Tours of the underground powerhouse
and the four huge generators are opened to the public
from June to September. The Revelstoke Dam, only minutes
from Revelstoke is a huge structure with an excellent
mountain view.
Revelstoke
and area have top notch facilities, hotel and motel
accommodations,
RV and tenting campgrounds, restaurants, pubs, shopping
and other needs. For a holiday that has superb natural
scenery, history, topped with excellent boating and
fishing head to Lake Revelstoke and Kinbasket Lake.
