Columbia Basin Wetlands

Columbia Basin Wetlands is a hot spot for multi day canoeing, wilderness camping, birding and fishing in the Kootenays of British Columbia, Canada. The basin is a  large protected wilderness and wildlife wetland habitat tagged as one of the largest wildlife wetlands in North America!

The Columbia River Basin Wetlands are created, part and parcel, from the Columbia River. The Columbia River is recognized as a Heritage River of Canada since 1996 and  in 2005 it was identified as an International Ramsar Site.

The Columbia River measures over 26,000 hectares and extends from the Rocky Mountains in the east to the Purcell Mountains in the west. The river travels over 1,600 kilometres and at times is as wide as 5 kilometres.T he wetlands are said to cover a distance of 200 square kilometres and are considered to be a prime destination for marshes, bogs and  tributaries. 

The Columbia River Basin Wetlands portion of the river stretches from the communities of Canal Flats to Spillimacheen, B.C., Canada including the main communities of Invermere, Radium Hot Springs and Golden. 

The river and wetland are migratory paths for many bird species every year. In fact... in the fall and spring birding seasons trumpeter and tundra swans visit the wetlands in large numbers to rest and feed as part of their migratory journey. The protected wetlands are also home to the second largest population of Great Blue Heron in Western Canada. Other birds in the area  include mallard ducks, wood ducks, hooded mergansers, lewis woodpeckers, eagles, american dipper and buffleheads. The wetlands are also home to wildlife species like the Grizzly and Black Bear, wolves, badgers, painted turtles, moose, coyote, beaver. otter and elk.

There are canoe tour companies operating in the wetlands providing transportation, equipment, guides, knowledge and lessons if need be.