Invermere, British Columbia

Invermere (Ktunaxa: Kyaknuq̓ǂiʔit) is a community in eastern British Columbia, Canada, near the border of Alberta. With its growing permanent population of almost 4,000 (including Athalmer and Wilmer), swelling to near 40,000 on summer weekends, it is the hub of the Columbia Valley between Golden in the north, and Cranbrook to the south. Invermere sits on the northwest shore of Lake Windermere and is a popular summer destination for visitors and second home owners from Calgary.

Geography

Invermere is located 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) south of Radium, and 104 kilometres (65 mi) south of Golden and 102 kilometres (63 mi) from the Trans-Canada Highway. Invermere is also 37 kilometres (23 mi) north of Fairmont Hot Springs, 60 kilometres (37 mi) north of Canal Flats, 128 kilometres (80 mi) north of Fort Steele, 130 kilometres (81 mi) north of Kimberley, and 144 kilometres (89 mi) north of the hub of Cranbrook and the Crowsnest Highway. Invermere is situated within the Columbia River Wetlands, North America's largest intact wetland and a Ramsar-designated site. Located in the Rocky Mountain Trench, Invermere is 17.5 kilometres (10.9 mi) from Kootenay National Park, and is near the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy.

Invermere (riverboat)

Invermere was a river boat that operated in British Columbia on the Columbia River from 1912 to about 1915. It was named for the town of Invermere.

Design and Construction

Invermere was built at Golden, British Columbia, in 1912 by riverboat captain Alexander Blakely Although built in the style of a steamboat, Invermere was powered by a gasoline or diesel engine, then a newer method of marine propulsion. In 1914, Invermere was licensed to carry 20 passengers.

Operations

Invermere's owner, Alexander Blakely, was a steamboat captain who operated on the upper Columbia route from Golden to Windermere Lake.

Dismantled

Invermere was removed from the official registry in 1915. Other boats on the river were taken out of service at the same time, as riverboat operations were coming to an end.

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