Columbia River Wetlands (South)

From its headwaters near Canal Flats, the Columbia River winds its way through the Columbia Wetlands, one of the largest contiguous systems of wetland habitats in North America. Situated between the communities of Fairmont Hot Springs and Donald, north of Golden, the wetlands are 180 kilometres in length and encompass over 13,800 hectares of habitat for hundreds of wildlife species, from eagles to moose, as well as migratory birds. Its flow is dependent on freshet and tends to be faster in the Spring months but mostly the area of the river between Invermere and Radium Hot Springs is slow and calm year round. Paddlers can easily explore this section of the Columbia in an afternoon.