Kootenay Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Kootenay Lake
image_lake = KootenayLakeFreeFerry.jpg
caption_lake = free ferry
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Kootenay region, British Columbia
coords = coord|49|40|N|116|50|W|region:CA-BC_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Kootenay River
outflow = Kootenay River
catchment =
basin_countries = Canada
length = 100 km
width = 5 km
area =
depth =
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities =

Kootenay Lake is a Canadian lake located between the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges in the Kootenay region of British Columbia. It is the largest natural lake in British Columbia, at approximately 100 km in length and 3-5 km in width. It is, in part, a widening of the Kootenay River, which in turn drains into the Columbia River system. Although oriented primarily in a north-south configuration, a western arm positioned roughly halfway up the length of the lake stretches 35 km to the town of Nelson. [ [http://www.britishcolumbia.com/regions/towns/?townID=4108 Kootenay Lake, British Columbia, Canada ] ]

The lake originally tidally and seasonally flooded an approximately 80 km long marsh lying to the lake's south within the Creston Valley. However, this has been now been diked and converted to commercial agriculture.

In 1931, Corra Linn Dam was built at the mouth of Kootenay Lake, where it became a river again. [ [http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/html/articles/2003/whitesturgeon.htm White Sturgeon ] ] Just downriver was Bonnington Falls, today the site of several hydroelectric dams.

In 1958 a powerline crossing of Kootenay Lake with a span width of ? feet ? 3248 (m,) the Kootenay Lake Crossing was built.

References

ee also

Geography

*Columbia River
*Kootenay River

teamboats

*"City of Ainsworth"
*"Moyie"

External links

* [http://kootenay-lake.ca/ Kootenay Lake]
* [http://www.britishcolumbia.com/regions/towns/?townID=4108 More on Kootenay Lake]