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Needles
Needles is located directly across from Fauquier
on the west side of Lower Arrow Lake 108 km (68 miles) east of Lumby
and 60 km (38 miles) south-west of Nakusp
on Hwy 6.
Long
Thin Sand Spits
Needles was originally called 'The Needles' with the name being
derived from the long thin sand spits that stretched out into the
Columbia River and Lower Arrow Lake. Due to the creating of the
reservoir from the completion of the Hugh Keenleyside Dam in 1968
the long thin sand spits are no longer present.
Flooding
from Hugh Keenleyside Dam
There was a thriving community of Needles at one time but, because
of the flooding created in the 1960's, the town no longer exists.
The reservoir from Hugh Keenleyside Dam situated 8 km (5 miles)
north of Castlegar closed in the Columbia
River which existed between Upper and Lower Arrow Lakes and flooded
Needles.
Needles
Ferry
There is nothing left of the community of Needles except for a small
cemetery. The only reason Needles is still marked on British Columbia
maps is because of the ferry terminal on the west side of the lake
on Hwy 6. The Needles Ferry crossing takes approximately 15 minutes
and operates on a continuous year-round schedule between Needles
and Fauquier, 24 hours a day, every day by Western Pacific Marine
Limited for the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Inland Ferry Service.
Fauquier
For local entertainment, you might want to take a trip across the
Arrow Lake to Fauquier. The small settlement has most of the conveniences
required found with a motel and J&S Snacks, a general store
that has a liquor outlet and serves fuel including gas, diesel and
propane, unfortunately the once famous Mushroom Addiction Restaurant
is now closed as of 2011.
Fauquier
Golf Course
Also located near the ferry terminal is the semi-private, 9-hole
Fauquier & District Golf Course. The challenging par 3-course
semi-private, 9-hole Fauquier & District Golf Course plays right
next to the Lower Arrow Lake. The course features include following
the shoreline, beautiful westerly views towards the lake and a boat
launch. Telephone (250) 269-7414
Plum
Hollow Camping
Other RV accommodation near the Needles Ferry Terminal Dock is at
Plum Hollow Camping.
- Telephone
(250) 269-7669.
Edgewood
If you are going to the Needles ferry dock, try and get a chance
to visit the small community of Edgewood
to the south. Edgewood features a store, gas station community centre
and post office. The community owned Edgewood Campground features
spacious camping sites and boat launch for the Lower Arrow Lake.
Whatshan
Lake
There is also a campground at Whatshan Lake via a gravel road just
north of the Arrow Lake ferry at Needles. Whatshan Lake also has
cabins available plus a boat launch. The lake has some great fishing
with Rainbow trout reaching weights around 1 kg (2.5 lbs) as well
as bull trout and small Kokanee.
Arrow
Lakes/Needles Bridge
Future
plans by the BC Government and the Ministry of Transportation are
that the ferry be eliminated with a new bridge called the Arrow
Lakes/Needles Bridge.
Buckland
& Taylor Ltd.
The new bridge is to be a two-lane structure possibly constructed
by the bridge experts, Buckland & Taylor Ltd, now part of COWI.
Other projects in British Columbia that Buckland & Taylor Ltd
have been involved in, include the Lions
Gate and Second Narrows in Vancouver, Fort Nelson River near
Fort Nelson and the Hagwilget Bridge in Hazelton.
Information
on Needles
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