- The Province has named the new Kootenay Lake vessel the MV Kokanee Ferry, honouring the iconic landlocked salmon native to Kootenay Lake and reflecting the region’s natural heritage.
- The new vessel will replace the aging MV Balfour and operate alongside the MV Osprey 2000, improving capacity and reliability of the inland ferry service connecting Balfour and Kootenay Bay.
- Construction is well underway, with completion targeted by December 2026 and service beginning in 2027.
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BALFOUR – BCNDP MLA Brittny Anderson says the province has officially named the new Kootenay Lake vessel the MV Kokanee Ferry (MV Kokanee), celebrating the region’s natural environment and the unique species of landlocked salmon that calls Kootenay Lake home.
“The name MV Kokanee reflects the natural beauty of the Kootenay region,” said Brittny Anderson, MLA for Kootenay Central. “This new ferry will be an important link for communities on both sides of the lake, and its name honours a salmon species that is iconic to Kootenay Lake and well known to the people who rely on this service every day.”
The new vessel is being built as part of the Kootenay Lake Ferry Service Improvements Project and will replace the aging MV Balfour. Once complete, the MV Kokanee will operate alongside the MV Osprey 2000 to increase capacity and reliability of the ferry service for residents, businesses and visitors travelling between Balfour and Kootenay Bay.
Named for the lake’s kokanee salmon
The kokanee salmon is a distinctive landlocked species native to Kootenay Lake and surrounding waters. The name for the vessel reflects a connection to the natural environment in the region it serves.
Building a vessel for the future
Construction of the new ferry is well underway.
· Painting, piping, electrical, mechanical and outfitting are all currently in progress.
· The final phase of construction, commissioning involving rigorous equipment testing and system calibration will begin in spring 2026.
· Sea trials are expected to begin later in the year, with substantial completion targeted by December 2026.
· The MV Kokanee is expected to enter service in 2027.
The Province assumed direct control of the project in November 2025, to address challenges and ensure the ferry is completed quickly and cost efficiently. Since then, construction progress has accelerated under new project management.
The Kootenay Lake Ferry provides a vital connection for residents, commercial traffic and emergency services, and plays a key role in supporting the regional economy.
The Kootenay Lake Ferry Service Improvements Project is funded by the Province of B.C. with a contribution from the Government of Canada through the New Building Canada Fund’s Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-National and Regional Projects.