The Village of Canal Flats sits in a picture perfect setting at the southern tip of the Columbia Valley, just off Highway 93/95. The village takes its name from the flat strip of land that it sits upon, which is intersected by an historic canal. Columbia Lake, the source of the mighty Columbia River, is to the north and Kootenay River, to the south, with flanks of mountains to the east and west.
Supported mainly by the lumber industry, Canal Flats has expanded since its incorporation in 2004, offering affordable living with a friendly small-town atmosphere. The village is increasingly attractive to families and those seeking a seasonal home in their own little piece of paradise, with the convenience of the Canadian Rockies International Airport just an hour's drive away.
The scenery is spectacular, with plenty to do in every season: golfing, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, whitewater rafting, camping, biking, hunting, wind-surfing, snowmobiling, cross-country and downhill skiing. The village is the gateway to several stunning provincial parks, including Whiteswan, Thunder Hill and Top of the World, which has a beautiful valley vista.
The village was first known as McGillivray's Portage, named by legendary explorer and mapmaker David Thompson when he passed through the region in 1808. It was 1913 when the post office changed its name to Canal Flats to reflect the village's history.
That history is preserved in the remains of a canal built in 1889 to connect the Kootenay River to Columbia Lake. The canal was created by entrepreneur William Adolph Baillie-Grohman in an attempt to lower the level of Kootenay Lake, near Creston, and reclaim the 48,000 acres of sediment-rich soil left behind. The dual purpose was to open a north-south passageway for canal steamboats to complete the trip from Montana to Golden.
But the risk of flooding the Columbia River curtailed Baillie-Grohman's efforts. He had no choice but to install a lock system on the canal, defeating his dream of diverting water from Kootenay Lake. Only two ships ever passed through the canal: the vessel Gwendoline in 1895; and the North Star in 1902.
The Village of Canal Flats has a range of local amenities, including a public beach and boat launch, a hockey arena, a civic centre, a golf course, and retail shops and services.
Nearby attractions include the Dutch Creek Hoodoos, Lussier Hot Springs, Fairmont Hot Springs and the Columbia Lake Wetlands.
The range of trails winding through the nearby landscape offer hours, days or weeks of exploration. All visitors, especially history buffs, are encouraged to stroll along the accessible Source of the Columbia Greenway. This interpretive trail begins at the headwaters of the Columbia River (minutes from the village centre) and meanders through bullrush marshland, wet sedge meadows, willow and birch shrub lands, and open forests, offering excellent nature-watching opportunities.
Those seeking a true pioneering experience should visit the undeveloped, natural Lussier Hot Springs, near the 17 kilometre sign on the Whiteswan Forest Service Road.
For more information, visit www.CanalFlats.com.
Designed by Shawn Wernig © 2011 Columbia Valley Pioneer • www.columbiavalleypioneer.com