Discover Lake Koocanusa

06/24/2025

We still have a few SEASONAL and short term spaces available!!!! Come on down to THE BEST beach 🏖️and pick your piece of paradise!!! Text your name to 587-317-5842 and we’ll get ya sorted for Summer 2025 and beyond!

02/16/2023

We are HIRING for 2023 and beyond! Check out our listings - there are multiple positions available:
~SOLO full-time paid positions.
~COUPLE/DUO WORKAMPERS incl RV site!
~FULL TIME RV Park Management.
~FULL TIME Maintenance Staff.
~PART TIME Store Staff.
~Youth Store & Grounds.
APPLY TODAY and join our Happy Camper Crew in BC and Alberta!
~Lake Koocanusa BC ~Crowsnest AB ~ Handhills/Delia AB, Pigeon Lake AB~
https://memoriesrvresorts.zohorecruit.com/jobs/Careers

08/02/2022

From BC WILDFIRE: Aircraft such as skimmers and helicopters are active in the area. They need ample room and calm waters to safely and efficiently do so. The skimmers often work in cycles, skimming from the same body of water repeatedly. Please be aware that although they may have left they area, it is likely that they will be returning. For the safety of responders and the public, stay clear of active wildfire sites whether on the ground, in the air or on the water.
www.bcwildfire.ca

07/21/2021

July 20,2021 —Letter from BC Hydro re: Debris and lake levels.

Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out to provide an update on debris collection on Koocanusa Reservoir.

There is a large amount of woody debris in Koocanusa Reservoir this summer, and we know this can be difficult for boaters and tourism operators. Unfortunately, we’re in the second year in a row of challenging environmental conditions that have led to this high volume of debris. The reservoir is at its highest elevation since 2013, which is refloating debris that has been stranded on the shoreline for several years. The heatwave across much of the province has led to rapid snow and glacial melt, which has resulted in a higher reservoir level than forecasted by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. This weather pattern has led to more debris than usual in many of BC Hydro’s reservoirs around the province.

As you know, Koocanusa is a reservoir, rather than a lake or river. The dam restricts debris from being naturally flushed downstream. The USACE reports that the reservoir is currently at 2,453.9 feet and it’s likely to peak at 2,454.1 feet around July 26. It is expected to start drafting in early August, and the USACE is targeting 2,449 feet for the end of September.

While BC Hydro doesn’t hold a water license on Koocanusa Reservoir, we have managed and funded debris removal since 1983. The program collects floating debris only and doesn’t include shoreline debris clean-up. Our contractors can’t access floating debris in less than 5 feet of water. We know that some residents have organized their own shoreline clean-ups this season, and we appreciate this extra effort.

The debris contractors, Purcell Environmental, start work early in the morning to collect as much debris as possible before wind and wave action pushes it to the shore. Purcell Environmental has added a second crew to their staff so they can continue clean-up 7 days a week and for longer periods. They’re currently working in the north part of the reservoir and will be moving south through the reservoir this week.

We ask for residents’ patience and understanding as crews work to collect debris. We know it’s challenging for recreational users and tourism businesses and we’re putting much effort into clearing debris as quickly as possible.

Regards,

Sally.

Please email me if you’d like to be removed from this distribution list.

____________________________________

Sally MacDonald
Community Relations, East Kootenay
BC Hydro
629 Industrial Road 2
Cranbrook, BC V1C 4C9
P 250 489 6841
M 250 581 0188
E [email protected]
bchydro.com

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07/03/2021

There is a complete fire ban in place for a very good reason and people need to take it seriously! Just have a look around the Province!
Last night the Baynes Lake volunteer firefighters were called to attend to a report of a large bonfire in the Koocanusa area. On arrival they were confronted by a belligerent group of young adults, this is completely unacceptable! These are volunteers trying to keep our communities safe!
My direction to my staff is to NOT ENGAGE, only to ensure the fire is contained, and to activate a RCMP and Conservation Officer response. There is no excuse for ignoring these fire bans and we will recommend full enforcement actions…no warnings, consider this the warning.

03/11/2021

The Koocanusa Recreation Steering Committee (KRSC) is seeking public comment on its Draft 2021 Koocanusa Recreation Strategy, which strives to support and manage Crown land recreation access and use in a way that maintains the ecological integrity, cultural values, aesthetic appeal and economic value of the Koocanusa area for current and future users. Please visit the website and fill in the survey open until March 28th, 2021.

Camping, and other recreation information for Koocanusa Canada.

03/05/2021

Looking for a FRESH start to 2021? Looking to make NEW MEMORIES?
Book your RV RESORT VACATION today!
~Weekend (shoulder season)
~Weekly
~Seasonal
~Long Term
http://www.newgatesandyshores.com/contact-3/

02/23/2021

Did you know?

The first history of Newgate belongs to the Ktunaxa peoples who included this area as part of theirTraditional Territory. To***co Plains, located on the east side of the Kootenay River is home o the To***co Plains Indian Band and is the Ktunaxa oldest known wintering grounds.
First known records for the Newgate area come from Old Fort Kootenay, which was situated one mile north of the International Boundary on the Kootenay River. There, John Linklater ran the trading post at the Fort, Linklater Creek was later named after him.
In 1860, the Canada-USA Boundary was surveyed, a right-of-way cleared and set with rock monuments, which still can be found today. Around 1911, Newgate received its own Border Post and Customs Officer, which remained open until the early 1930's.
Newgate also had its own RCMP detachment during the same period consisting of one Sergent and two Constables. Earliest settlers came up the Kootenay River on a small stern-wheeler to reach Newgate. Later, you could either take the ferry, which ran across the Kootenay River between old Newgate at the border crossing and Newgate on the westside. It cost $0.25 to cross the river with a team and wagon. The ferry only ran for a few years from 1910-1912 until such time a bridge was built in 1913. This bridge was used until the 1940's when a new one was built on the westside of the Kootenay at Waldo.
You could also reach Newgate via the Great Northern Railway. The train ran to the Newgate station located at the USA port-of-entry known as Gateway.
The early 1950's saw the installation of electrical services to Newgate by the Lincoln Electric Company of Eureka Montana who still provide electricity to the area today.
In 1964, the Columbia River Treaty was signed, providing the USA with the right to build the Libby Dam. The Dam would effectively back-up the Kootenay River creating the Koocanusa Reservoir ('Koo'tenay-'Can'ada-'USA').
Newgate has a long and rich history of ranching and logging in the area. Early farmers tried their hand at planting fruit trees but soon found the area more suitable for cattle ranching, Christmas trees, and agriculture. Some of the first families to the area even brought Jersey cows to start a dairy farm. Many of the large ranches and farms were lost when the Libby Dam was constructed in the early 1970's and the area flooded to create the reservoir, known today as Koocanusa.
Numerous lumber companies operated in the area given the large amounts of mature timber. Remnants of these large cuts can still be found today along with the telltale marks of 'springboard notches'. Early on, logs were floated down the Kootenay River to Bonner's Ferry and later, loaded onto small-gauge railway cars to be taken to the mill sites.
At one time, Newgate had a thriving community that included a school, community hall, store and even its own curling rink. The community held rodeos, fundraising events, dances and church services.

01/27/2021

Are you ready for RV CAMPING 2021??
~~Discover Lake Koocanusa BC~~
here:https://youtu.be/ogdkZ5zP5C0

01/08/2021

Feasibility report/study regarding a weir at Lake Koocanusa on the Canadian side.