Access to the Arrow Lakes should soon be improved as contracts for work on three boat launches have been awarded and construction work has started.
BC Hydro announced details of the work in a press release on Monday, March 25.
At the Anderson Point launch on the Lower Arrow, road access improvements, pile driving and placement of the floating walkway are complete. In Nakusp, the old wood trestle ramp was removed and concrete panel installation is underway. Work on the Edgewood project is progressing, and the breakwater and floating walkway placement is scheduled for the coming weeks.
Columbia Power is managing the construction of the Anderson Point, Nakusp and Edgewood launches on behalf of BC Hydro.
“BC Hydro is committed to giving back to the communities in which we operate," said Chris O'Riley, executive vice president of generation at BC Hydro. "The completion of these projects will ensure improved access to the Arrow Lakes reservoir for recreational users. We are very pleased with the work being done by our partner, Columbia Power, on the construction of the project.”
The Columbia River Water Use Plan recommended improving summer recreational boat access for the Arrow Lakes reservoir and in 2011, BC Hydro upgraded boat ramps at Fauquier and McDonald Creek Park and built a new boat ramp near Burton.
In 2012, BC Hydro and Columbia Power formed a partnership for the remaining Arrow Lakes reservoir boat ramp improvement projects. Once construction is completed by Columbia Power, BC Hydro will maintain the boat ramps.
“We appreciate the continued support and patience of the project communities as we now move ahead in earnest with construction of the Anderson Point, Nakusp and Edgewood boat ramps," said Jane Bird, president and CEO of Columbia Power. "Columbia Power is very pleased to have had this opportunity to partner with BC Hydro in these efforts.”
BC Hydro is funding the boat ramp work and maintains the responsibility for providing and maintaining public access to Arrow Lakes reservoir under the terms of its water licence as directed by the Comptroller of Water Rights.