Industrial development of the Kootenay Lake area in Southeastern British Columbia began with the ability to travel on the Lake and establish settlements that were connected only by water. The geography limited the establishment of overland routes. The First Nations in the area were skilled in their abilities to navigate the Lake and West Arm by canoe.
Read more about the routes and how they were established
Access to Kootenay Lake was gained from the south following the Kootenay River until infrastructure was built up, mainly in the form of pack trails to access the mineral rich peaks, then railways and steamship lines and then finally highways and airports. Many notable explorers and developers managed to navigate the area including David Thompson and Edgar Dewdney.
The Kootenay Lake region developed and was settled as a result of water access provided by the sternwheeler system.
There were many different companies that built sternwheelers to service the Kootenay Lake area. The evolution of the sternwheeler service on the Lake is complicated, with many different companies evolving into one, and eventually dissolving with the end of steamer service in the region.
Find out how the First Nations played a role in the development of travel on the lakes and rivers
The first people to explore and establish routes on Kootenay Lake, First Nations in the area created a style of canoe unique in North America that was ideally suited to the lake. Sudden, high winds and large waves were manageable with the stable sturgeon-nosed canoe.
Welcome to the Sternwheelers of Kootenay Lake exhibit. Explore the boats that once plied the Lake through photos and stories. The map provides points of interest along the routes taken by the boats throughout their history. Be sure to checkout the bibliography and links for more information on the history of the area and more technical specifications of the various boats.