Athalmer Boat Launch Repair Frequently Asked Questions: Updated: April 2026

Even though the concrete ramp is closed and signed, boats continue to launch daily from the adjacent gravel foreshore, especially between May and September.

This includes

• Public users
• The adjacent marina
• Paddleboard and rental operators

Why this is a problem

• Increases erosion and sediment entering the river
• Disturbs the shoreline and riverbed
• Creates challenges for both vehicles and boats

Repairing the launch will redirect use back to the properly designed concrete ramp, allowing the damaged foreshore to be closed and rehabilitated.

This is a repair only, not an expansion.

What is being done

• The existing concrete ramp will remain
• Articulated concrete block mat and riprap will be added to eliminate the drop-off

What is not changing

• No increase in boat capacity
• No accommodation for larger boats
• No new launch footprint

The design follows BC Parks boat launch standards and focuses on safety and environmental protection.

All required steps have been completed:

• Final design and cost estimate (October 2024)
• Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
• DFO “Avoid and Mitigate” letter (no federal authorization required)
• Qualified mussel protection and relocation plan
• Section 11 Change Approval application submitted October 2024
  • Tracking #100459540
  • The application has never been withdrawn
• Joint site visit with ʔakisq̱nuk First Nation, WLRS, and District staff (December 17, 2025)
• All technical documents shared directly with ʔakisq̱nuk (February 2026)

The District continues respectful engagement with both ʔakisq̱nuk and Shuswap Band.

Provincial approval requires First Nations consultation.

Both ʔakisq̱nuk and Shuswap Band have raised broader concerns about Lake Windermere, including:

• Lake carrying capacity
• Boating impacts
• Water quality
• Cumulative effects

The District respects these concerns and supports addressing them through a collaborative lake management process.

At the same time:

• This repair is modest, targeted maintenance
• It will reduce erosion and sedimentation, not increase impacts

At UBCM in September 2025, Minister Randene Neill supported separating (“decoupling”) this urgent repair from longer-term lake planning, provided both Nations are comfortable with a joint commitment. The District is actively working toward that outcome.

6. Is the District doing everything possible to move this forward?

Yes.

Why this matters

• Lake health is Council’s number one strategic priority
• The Athalmer Boat Launch is the only District-owned launch on Lake Windermere

What we are doing

• Direct engagement with both First Nations
• Ongoing coordination with the Province and WLRS
• Continued follow-up with Minister Neill’s office

There is a short low-water window each year when in-water work can be done safely and with minimal environmental impact. Staff and Council are pushing to use the remaining window this spring.

We cannot provide a firm date because reopening depends on:

• Provincial approval
• First Nations’ comfort with proceeding

Once approval is received:

• Construction can be completed in a few days
• Work must occur during a suitable low-water period

Our goal is to have the launch safe and open for the 2026 boating season, but we recognize the construction window is narrowing.

You can help by:

• Using designated boat launches where possible
• Sharing accurate information from this FAQ
• Supporting Council’s work on broader lake management planning

We understand the frustration. This is an important public facility, and we are committed to repairing it safely, responsibly, and transparently.