Kootenay Lake Ferry

The Kootenay Lake Ferry is a ferry across the Kootenay Lake in southern British Columbia. It operates between Balfour, on the west side of the lake, and Kootenay Bay, on the east side. It is the longest free scenic ferry in the world.[1] Two ferry vessels are used: the MV Osprey 2000 and the MV Balfour.[2]

Kootenay Lake Ferry
The Osprey 2000 on Kootenay Lake
LocaleBalfour−Kootenay Bay
WaterwayKootenay Lake
Transit typePassenger and automobile ferry
Carries Hwy 3A
OperatorWestern Pacific Marine
System length8 km (5.0 mi)
No. of lines1
No. of vessels2
No. of terminals2
WebsiteKootenay Lake Ferry

Sternwheeler era

A number of companies operated ferries on the lake from the 1890s.[3] When the Canadian Pacific Railway completed a rail link between Procter and Kootenay Landing in 1930, sternwheeler service on the southern arm of the lake ended.[4] In 1931, the BC government chartered the SS Nasookin for the Main Lake crossing between Fraser's Landing and Gray Creek. The government acquired the vessel in 1933, modifying the upper decks for the route.[5]

Balfour–Kootenay Bay

In 1947, when the MV Anscomb was introduced, the terminals were relocated to Balfour and Kootenay Bay.[5][6]

The ferry operates under contract to the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and is free of tolls. A single vessel operates throughout the year, with ten departures from Balfour between 06:30 and 21:40, returning from Kootenay Bay between 07:10 and 22:20. The second vessel operates in summer only, providing an extra five crossings in either direction. The crossing is about 8 km (5.0 mi) in length, and takes 35 minutes.[2]

The Osprey 2000 normally operates the main service, and carries a maximum of 80 vehicles and 250 passengers. The smaller Balfour usually provides the additional summer sailings, and carries up to 28 vehicles and 150 passengers.[2] A new "electric ready" ferry vessel is set to replace the MV Balfour by 2022.[7] The new ferry will eventually be converted from diesel to electric propulsion by 2030.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Kootenay Lake Ferry". kootenaylake.bc.ca. Kootenay Lake Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
  2. "Inland Ferry Schedules". th.gov.bc.ca. Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
  3. "Sternwheeler Companies of Kootenay Lake". www.touchstonesnelson.ca.
  4. "Chrononoly of Kootenay Lake". www.kootenay-lake.ca.
  5. "Fraser's Landing". www.kootenay-lake.ca.
  6. "Nelson Star, 13 Jul 2014". www.nelsonstar.com.
  7. Carrigg, David. "Shipbuilder from small B.C. town shortlisted to build hybrid ferry for Kootenay Lake". vancouversun.com. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  8. Keating, Bob (April 29, 2019). "New ferry announced for free Kootenay Lake route". CBC News. Retrieved April 28, 2020.


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