Lake Koocanusa

Lake Koocanusa is a reservoir that follows the course of the Kootenai River and stretches roughly 145 kilometers (90 miles) between Montana and British Columbia. The water can reach depths of up to 91 meters (300 feet) in some spots and sits at an elevation of about 751 meters.

The Libby Dam was completed in 1972, creating this reservoir. The flooding led to the relocation of the town of Rexford in Montana and submerged the Canadian settlement of Waldo beneath the water.

The name was chosen through a contest and combines parts of the words Kootenai, Canada, and USA. This designation reminds visitors that the water lies on both sides of the border and is used by people from two countries.

Several campgrounds and boat ramps along the shoreline make access to the water easier. Anglers, swimmers, and watersports enthusiasts find well-accessible entry points year-round, with conditions most comfortable during the summer months.

This reservoir holds about 13 percent of the total water in the Columbia River system. The stored volume makes it an important water source for both countries and influences water levels downstream all the way to the Pacific.

Location: Lincoln County

Location: British Columbia

Elevation above the sea: 751 m

GPS coordinates: 49.21806,-115.24583

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29