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The Needles Ferry
by John MacFarlane 2019
The Needles Ferry ramp showing the cable hardware(Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)
There is a vehicle and passenger ferry that connects the two sides of the Columbia in what is known as Arrow Lake between Fauquier and Needles. The ferry facility minimal. A concrete ramp serves as access that is bracketed by the cables anchored to the shore. There are anchor points on the shore that adjust the cables according to the fluctuating water levels in the river. The variation over the year is significant and requires constant adjustment.
The Needles Ferry (Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)
Unlike the facilities used by coastal ferries operated by B.C. Ferries these terminals are designed to meet the operational needs on the river.
The Needles Ferry (Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)
The ferry ride is free and can be done on foot for those who prefer to walk on and photograph the operation.
The Needles Ferry (Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)
It is possible to view five or more of these ferries in one day through careful route planning and observing schedules for those routes that have them.
To quote from this article please cite:
MacFarlane, John (2018) Needles Ferry. Nauticapedia.ca 2018. http://nauticapedia.ca/Gallery/Needles_Ferry.php
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