Colonial Despatches

The upper and lower Arrow Lakes are widenings of the Columbia River between modern-day Castlegar and Revelstoke, and may have made useful landmarks in navigating the river. The lakes were named “Arrow Lake upper/lower” on John Arrowsmith's 1832 map British North America. Earlier names for the lakes included “Cutsamin” or “Earbobs” Lake, as indicated on R.H Laurie's 1832 map Fredonia or the United-States of North America.1

The Geographic Board of Canada formally adopted the name 30 June 1900.2

• 1. Upper Arrow Lake, BC Geographical Names.
• 2. Ibid.