Okanagan lakes

Okanagan Lake is a large, deep lake in the OkanaganOgopogo, its own version of the Loch Ness Monster.
Valley of British Columbia. The lake is 135 km long,Ogopogo is envisioned as an aquatic serpent, hiding
between 4 and 5 km wide, and has a surface of 351within the depths of Lake Okanagan. Despite
km2. The lake's assumed maximum depth is 232skeptics, there are still occasional reports of Ogopogo
meters near Grant Island (also called "Whiskey Island"sightings, and the Ogopogo theme is utilized in tourist
or "Seagull Island" by locals), but the lake possiblymerchandise. Many claim that a lake the size of Lake
goes much deeper under the shelves. Some areas ofOkanagan has a strong chance of containing at least
the lake have up to 750 meters of glacial andsomething unusual.
post-glacial sediment fill which were deposited duringSkaha Lake (49°25'N
the Pleistocene Epoch.[2] The lake is composed of119°35'W) is a
three basins, a larger North basin, a central or midfreshwater lake located in the Okanagan Valley of
basin, and a Southern basin. To the North the lake isBritish Columbia, Canada. It has a surface area of
joined to Kalamalka Lake by Vernon Creek, and inapproximately 20 km2, with a maximum depth of 55
the South it is joined to Skaha Lake by themetres. The lake is situated directly south of
Okanagan River. Notable features of the OkanaganOkanagan Lake and the city of Penticton, British
Valley include terraces which were formed due toColumbia.
the periodic lowering of the lake level. These terracesIt was once known officially as "Dog Lake".
are now used extensively for agriculture such as fruitKalamalka Lake (aka "Kal Lake") is a large lake in the
cultivation.Interior Plateau of southern central British Columbia,
Cities bordering the lake include Vernon in the north,Canada, near Vernon and Okanagan Lake. The lake is
Penticton in the south, and Kelowna in the centre.named for the Okanagan (Okanogan U.S. spelling)
Various lake features include: Rattlesnake Island, aIndian chief who occupied its northern shores,
small island east of Peachland; Squally Point, a popularalthough many believe (incorrectly) that it means
cliff-diving area; Fintry Delta on the west side; and(lake of) many colours in the Okanagan language.
the Okanagan Lake Bridge, a floating bridge whichAt different times of the year the colour of the lake
connects Kelowna to the municipality of Westbank.can range from cyan to indigo, in different spots at
Okanagan Lake winds between Kelownathe same time. This is likely caused by increased
(foreground) and Westbank (background).Many parkswater flow and circulation disturbing the silt at the
and beaches are found along the shores of the lake,lake bottom. Lakes in the Okanagan are not as deep
which make boating and swimming very popularas those in the Kootenays in southeastern British
activities. The lake is home to several species of fish,Columbia, but they are certainly deep, although the
including rainbow trout and kokanee. It is said bysilt in the lakes may mask this.
some to be home to its own sea monster - a giantTwo provincial parks are situated along Kalamalka
serpent-like creature named Ogopogo. LakeLake:
Okanagan is next to Canada's only true desertKalamalka Lake Provincial Park (external link)
ecosystem.Kekuli Bay Provincial Park (external link)
LegendsKalamalka Lake lies approximately 4 kilometres south
Lake Okanagan is rumoured to hold a secret:of Vernon, British Columbia.