| Village of Nakusp | |
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| — Village — | |
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Village of Nakusp
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Region | Arrow Lakes, West Kootenay |
| Regional district | Central Kootenay |
| Founded | 1892 |
| Incorporated | 1964 |
| Government | |
| • Governing body | Nakusp Village Council |
| • Mayor | Karen Hamling |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.42 km2 (2.9 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 457.2 m (1,500 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 1,524 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| Highways | 6, 23 |
| Website | Village of Nakusp |
The Village of Nakusp ( /nəˈkʌsp/) is a small community located on the shores of Upper Arrow Lake, a portion of the Columbia River, in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia. The town has a population of around 1,800, and it is known primarily for its nearby hot springs, which are a popular destination for tourists, as well as its picturesque mountain lakeside setting.
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Nakusp has a recreational centre that consists of an ice rink, squash courts, curling rink and an auditorium as well as outdoor tennis courts and a soccer field. Arrow Lakes Hospital serves the village and surrounding communities. There is an elementary school, a high school, and a campus of Selkirk College. The schools are part of School District 10 Arrow Lakes which has its board office in Nakusp. The area also provides many opportunities for recreation, including the Summit Lake Ski Hill, a short drive out of town towards New Denver.
The area around Nakusp was occupied by aboriginal peoples from the Shuswap, Sinixt and Kutenai First Nations. In 1811, the first reported European explorer on the Arrow Lakes was Finan McDonald, an associate of David Thompson.[1]
European settlers arrived in 1890, and the settlement took shape in 1892 with opening of the first post office, the first store and the first sawmill. The nearest train link was the CPR at Revelstoke, so all goods were shipped to the fledgling port of Nakusp. In 1954, the last of the sternwheelers, the Minto was retired.
The construction of the Keenleyside Dam north of Castlegar in 1968 and the resulting rise of the lake level caused the rearrangement of the village and its waterfront.[2]
Mining was historically the most important industry in the area, but it was eclipsed by forestry which is today the major economic base of the village.[3]
Nakusp is home to a community radio station, CJHQ-FM.
In 2004 the village held its first Nakusp Music Fest, which has proved to be a popular attraction. Since then, the Festival has gotten bigger, supporting larger names. It is now known as the Interior's largest classic rock festival, although classic rock isn't the only genre being played.
Brad Larsen is a professional ice hockey left winger who played several seasons in the National Hockey League.
| Climate data for Nakusp | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 13.3 (55.9) |
13 (55) |
17.5 (63.5) |
24.4 (75.9) |
33 (91) |
35.5 (95.9) |
37 (99) |
36.7 (98.1) |
33.3 (91.9) |
23 (73) |
18.3 (64.9) |
14.5 (58.1) |
37 (99) |
| Average high °C (°F) | −0.4 (31.3) |
2.1 (35.8) |
7.1 (44.8) |
13 (55) |
18.4 (65.1) |
22.1 (71.8) |
25.4 (77.7) |
24.7 (76.5) |
18.2 (64.8) |
11 (52) |
4.4 (39.9) |
0.2 (32.4) |
12.2 (54.0) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −5.7 (21.7) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
1.4 (34.5) |
5.7 (42.3) |
9.3 (48.7) |
11.2 (52.2) |
10.9 (51.6) |
6.5 (43.7) |
2.6 (36.7) |
−1 (30) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
2.5 (36.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −24.4 (−11.9) |
−24.4 (−11.9) |
−18.9 (−2.0) |
−9.4 (15.1) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
1.7 (35.1) |
0.6 (33.1) |
−6.5 (20.3) |
−11 (12) |
−20 (−4) |
−27.8 (−18.0) |
−27.8 (−18.0) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 101.2 (3.984) |
74.7 (2.941) |
52.3 (2.059) |
51.1 (2.012) |
61.9 (2.437) |
77.5 (3.051) |
59.3 (2.335) |
58.3 (2.295) |
56.5 (2.224) |
56.8 (2.236) |
88.6 (3.488) |
103.9 (4.091) |
842 (33.15) |
| Source: Environment Canada[4] | |||||||||||||
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