Duncan River
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The Duncan River is river in British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the Columbia River basin, being tributary via Kootenay Lake to the Kootenay River, which is a tributary of the Columbia River.
[edit] Course
The Duncan River flows south into Duncan Lake, a natural lake that has been enlarged by Duncan Dam. From Duncan Lake the river continues south to join the Kootenay River in Kootenay Lake.[1] The Lardeau River and Duncan River join at their mouths at the north end of Kootenay Lake.
[edit] History
Duncan River was named for John ("Jack") Duncan, a prospector and candidate for the colonial Legislative Council from the Kootenay District in the 19th century.[2]
On some early maps Duncan Lake is shown with the name "Upper Kootenay Lake" or "Howser Lake", but since 1912 the name Duncan has prevailed.[2]
Before Duncan Dam was built the river served as the main navigation route into the river valley, used by mining and logging industries.[3]
Duncan Dam was finished in 1967, the first of the three Canadian Columbia River Treaty dams to be built. Its purpose is to regulate flow into Kootenay Lake, in coordination with Libby Dam, to assure sufficient water flow for the Kootenay Canal and Corra Linn Dam projects. Duncan Dam does not produce any electricity. Duncan Lake, originally 25 kilometres (16 mi) in length, is now 45 kilometres (28 mi) long.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Duncan River, BCGNIS Geographic Name Details
- ^ a b Duncan Lake, BCGNIS Geographic Name Details
- ^ a b Duncan Dam, Touchstones Nelson, Museum of Art and History
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