This is a great place for a bookcrossing zone as a great many people find themselves whiling away the hours (minutes, actually) while waiting for the ferry. It has been a bookcrossing zone since 2005 when
Born Indian, by W. P Kinsella, was released on Friday, February 18, 2005. Unfortunately, to date no more books have been released here.
The
ferry crossing is via a large diesel powered ferry which can handle 80 passenger cars and 250 passengers. Crossing time, not including loading and unloading, is about 35 minutes. This is the
longest free ferry ride in North America. The eastern terminus is at Kootenay Bay, from which Highway 3A proceeds south to Creston, BC. In the summer, and when the Osprey 2000 is down for maintenance, a second ferry, the MV Balfour, is put into service, adding five crossings per day. Smaller than the Osprey, its capacity is 28 passenger cars and 150 passengers.
From the western terminus Highway 3A proceeds west down the West Arm, following the Kootenay River all the way to The Columbia River at Castlegar, passing through historic Nelson, BC.
As the river flows from Balfour down the steep Kootenay River Valley toward its meeting with the Columbia River at Castlegar, it is slowed by no less than seven hydro projects west of Nelson, all in the span of 22 kilometres, six of which are on a stretch of river only about 4.5 kilometres long. This drive, from Nelson (west of Balfour) to Castlegar is a great scenic drive in itself, with the river beside Highway 3A for the full length of the drive, mountains all around and pull outs at most of the hydro dams for viewing.
The image of the parking area below is essentially real time and will update every 2 minutes, but only if you update the page manually.
