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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.
Arrow
Lakes/Needles Bridge
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. 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 constructed by the
bridge experts, Buckland & Taylor Ltd. Other projects in British
Columbia that Bridge 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.
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.
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 such as the Fauquier Gas West,
Mushroom Addition Restaurant and J&S Snacks, a general store
that has a liquor outlet. Also located near the ferry terminal is
the semi-private, 9-hole Fauquier & District Golf Course.
Fauquier
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.
Plum
Hollow Camping
Other RV accommodation near the Needles Ferry Terminal Dock is at
Plum Hollow Camping.
- Telephone
(250) 269-7669.
Information
on Needles
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