About 282 kilometres north of its source the river swings to the west around the northernmost point of the Selkirk Mountains and reverses its direction to flow approximately due south. At Mica Creek, Mica Dam and Generating Station rises 240 metres, stretching 800 metres across the Columbia River Valley, and contains 14.8 trillion cubic metres of water in Kinbasket Lane. The Columbia River, North America's third longest, is controlled by many dams. Four of these are in British Columbia and two are in the vicinity of Revelstoke. The dams are also used to generate hydroelectric power.

South of Revelstoke the grand Columbia River widens to form the Arrow Lakes. The Arrow Lakes, both Upper and Lower, extend some 233 km south to Castlegar. The enormous Hugh Kenleyside Dam spans the Columbia River to form the Arrow Lakes. The structure features a lock system that allows boats to pass from one side of the dam to the other. Boat rentals and fishing information on lingcod, char, trout, and pike can be had from Scottie's Marina, or the Syringa Park Marina, beside Syringa Creek Provincial Park, which has boat-launching ramps for high and low water. Forty-eight kilometres below its junction the Kootenay River and the Columbia flow from here to the Washington-Oregon border on the Pacific Ocean, a 2000 kilometre journey.

For a short trip on a big river, paddlers can access the Columbia River at the old ferry slip at Robson or Castlegar and take out at the municipal park in Trail, 1 km north of the bridge on the east side of the river. Allow one short day for this 30 km, Class I or II trip. For a longer day, paddle on 20 km farther to Waneta, at the Canada-US border.

Nearest Town: Fairmont Hot Springs, Windermere, Invermere, Radium Hot Springs, Parson, Golden, Columbia River Valley

Nearest Lake: Columbia Lake, Windermere Lake