Trisha Shanks
Arrow Lakes News
Work has begun at the McDonald Creek boat ramp and will continue until the first week of May. For boaters wishing to use the ramp this season, there is good news. BC Hydro has begun work on improvements. They intend to complete the construction of the ramp to the design elevation of 426 metres and complete the scour protection around the existing ramp section and the extension, to 426 metres. In addition to this work, BC Hydro will remove a potential tripping hazard on the turnaround and bury the concrete anchor blocks that are part of the breakwater.
In an email to the Arrow Lakes News, Stakeholder Engagement Advisor, Mary Anne Coules wrote, “This year, BC Hydro has made significant process on a number of the Arrow Lakes Reservoir boat ramps, including Anderson Point, Burton, Edgewood, McDonald Creek Park, Nakusp, and Syringa. These projects are intended to improve recreational opportunities on Arrow Lakes Reservoir.”
Signed in 2004, the Columbia River Water Use Plan (WUP) defines how BC Hydro operates its facilities in relation to all known water use interests on the Columbia River such as fish, wildlife, ecosystems, archaeological sites, power generation, and boating. There is a stipulation that each community be provided with recreational water use access and these continue to be improved on for use in all seasons.
“The feedback we’ve received from the boat ramp users is that they are pleased with the results. We are grateful to the community for their continued support as these improvements are completed, and thank our partner, Columbia Power, for their work on the Anderson Point, Edgewood and Nakusp boat ramps,” Coules said.
According to the WUP, water levels are required to be higher and more stable in the summer but in in lieu of that, safe recreational boat access, to and from the reservoir is acceptable for increased accessibility for water-based recreation.