North Shuswap - the
Community
The
community of North Shuswap is located on the north shore
of the Shuswap Lake approximately one hour east of
Kamloops. Residents call it the 'Sunny Side of the Lake'
as most properties face south for maximum sunlight. The
community is comprised of 6 hamlets known as Lee Creek;
Scotch Creek; Celista; Magna Bay; Anglemont and St. Ives.
The road through the North Shuswap leaves the Trans Canada
Highway at Squilax, is paved and well maintained with many
scenic kilometres following the shoreline. Once you cross
the bridge over the Adams River, you are officially on the
North Shuswap and soon in Lee Creek. The paved road ends
55 km to the east at St. Ives. From St. Ives east you
travel the Seymour Arm Road. The road is gravel of 1 & 1/2
lanes, in moderate condition and mainly used by loggers
and residents of Seymour. The average travel time from St.
Ives to the village of Seymour is 60 to 70 minutes.
Government
The community of the North
Shuswap is located in Area F of the
Columbia Shuswap
Regional District (CSRD). The CSRD office is located in Salmon Arm. The
CSRD Representative for Area F is Denis Delisle; our MLA is Liberal - George Abbott and
our MP is New Conservative - Colin Mayes.
Zoning
The
community of the Celista currently has no zoning. Anglemont brought in zoning
through Bylaw 650 in 1998, Magna Bay brought in zoning through Bylaw
800 in 2003 and Scotch Creek & Lee Creek got their zoning through Bylaw 825
late in 2005. All
areas in the North Shuswap require
building permits and building inspections as of June 2001.
Some subdivisions may have building scheme registered on
title.
First Nations
We are
proud and fortunate to have the Little Shuswap Band as our
neighbours to the west. They have been good stewards of
their resources, involved in our community with a healthy
respect for their heritage combined with progressive
social and business programs.
Utilities
99.99% of
the 4500 separate properties in the North Shuswap are
serviced by good public roads, electricity and telephone.
Telus Mobility and Bell Mobility are adequate while some
other service is minimal. Internet service is available
through dial-up or if you are fortunate to have a line of
site to a wireless tower, wireless internet connection is
available. Scotch Creek has cablevision while all the
other areas rely on satellite dish reception. Most
properties use septic tank & field for sewage disposal.
There are a few small sewer systems in a few
neighbourhoods.
Water
systems are everything you can think of. Some of the most
common are bored-well; shallow well; lake intake; private
water system and co-op water systems. The North Shuswap is
not serviced by natural gas however, propane can be
delivered to those with gas appliances.
Shopping
Most
day-to-day items are available at the local shops. If you
should need to go to 'town' most North Shuswap residents
use Kamloops as their major shopping destination. The
North Shuswap social and economic connection is to
Kamloops and not Salmon Arm as is usually assumed. Travel
time to Salmon Arm is only 5 minutes shorter than that of
Kamloops. Selection of stores and services is several
times greater in Kamloops than offered in Salmon Arm. On the North
Shuswap, Scotch Creek is the village with the most
services to offer such as Drugstore; doctors office;
Realtors; fuel sales; hardware; groceries and restaurants.
Statistics
The following statistics
have been compiled through the research of Al
Christopherson in order to help residents of the North
Shuswap know their community. For the purpose of this
study the North Shuswap will be Adams River Bridge to St.
Ives.
