Construction at the Elko Boat Access take-out on the Elk River is scheduled to begin September 8, 2025, with work expected to wrap up by the end of the month. During this time, the access will be closed to the public.
The purpose of the project — four years in the making — is to improve river safety for locals, visitors, and river outfitters, enhance the overall user experience, and support water access for both Canfor and the Elko Fire Department.
What’s Coming to the Elko Boat Ramp – Take Out once completed, includes:
• An engineered boat ramp (take-out only, as the BC Hydro dam is located downstream)
• Improved access and parking
• New signage with river safety information, fish etiquette, Elk River maps, and cultural content from the Ktunaxa Nation
• A toilet and picnic table for public use
These upgrades, approved under the RDEK Regional Parks program in 2023, will create a safer, more welcoming environment for all river users while also supporting emergency services and local industry needs.
The AmbassadorWILD team, contracted by the RDEK Parks Department, will care for the site seasonally. Their role includes educating visitors on responsible river use, Leave No Trace etiquette, and assisting with ongoing clean-up and maintenance — ensuring the Elko access remains safe and inviting for years to come.
The Elko Boat Ramp is the fifth site improved under the Elk River Regional Infrastructure and Amenity Initiative (Elk River Initiative), part of Tourism Fernie’s Sustainable Tourism Program. It represents a true community effort, with leadership from Tourism Fernie Society in partnership with the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).
The initiative began in 2020 when the Province of BC announced new regional tourism funding. Thanks to early advocacy from local guides and the Elk River Alliance, a successful application secured $300,000 in funding in 2021. That grant, combined with contributions from the RDEK Area A, Elk Valley Resources and multiple partners, has supported a series of river access improvements throughout the valley.
The project team has spent the past three years navigating land ownership confirmations, government approvals, federal environmental reviews, and engineering design. September is the only permitted construction window for in-river work, making this timing essential despite being a busy season on the Elk.
With the Elko access now shovel-ready, work will be carried out by McElhanney, Core Heritage Consulting, and Gally Equipment Services. Other key access sites along the Elk — including Morrissey, Olsen Pit, and Hosmer — have already seen upgrades, and the project team is planning future improvements further up the valley.
The Elko project is the latest milestone in the multi-year effort to improve river access and amenities while promoting sustainable tourism. Tourism Fernie’s Sustainable Tourism Strategy and the AmbassadorWILD program have already been recognized with the Best Community Project Award by the BC Economic Development Association in 2023.
For more information about Tourism Fernie’s Sustainable Tourism Strategy, the Tourism Master Plan, or the Elk River Access Improvements Project, contact: project@tourismfernie.com.
