| Okanagan Lake is a large, deep lake in | | | | as an aquatic serpent, hiding within the |
| the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. | | | | depths of Lake Okanagan. Despite |
| The lake is 135 km long, between 4 and 5 | | | | skeptics, there are still occasional |
| km wide, and has a surface of 351 km2. | | | | reports of Ogopogo sightings, and the |
| The lake's assumed maximum depth is 232 | | | | Ogopogo theme is utilized in tourist |
| meters near Grant Island (also called | | | | merchandise. Many claim that a lake the |
| "Whiskey Island" or "Seagull Island" by | | | | size of Lake Okanagan has a strong |
| locals), but the lake possibly goes much | | | | chance of containing at least something |
| deeper under the shelves. Some areas of | | | | unusual. |
| the lake have up to 750 meters of | | | | Skaha Lake (49°25'N |
| glacial and post-glacial sediment fill | | | | 119°35'W) is a freshwater lake |
| which were deposited during the | | | | located in the Okanagan Valley of |
| Pleistocene Epoch.[2] The lake is | | | | British Columbia, Canada. It has a |
| composed of three basins, a larger North | | | | surface area of approximately 20 km2, |
| basin, a central or mid basin, and a | | | | with a maximum depth of 55 metres. The |
| Southern basin. To the North the lake is | | | | lake is situated directly south of |
| joined to Kalamalka Lake by Vernon | | | | Okanagan Lake and the city of Penticton, |
| Creek, and in the South it is joined to | | | | British Columbia. |
| Skaha Lake by the Okanagan River. | | | | It was once known officially as "Dog |
| Notable features of the Okanagan Valley | | | | Lake". |
| include terraces which were formed due | | | | Kalamalka Lake (aka "Kal Lake") is a |
| to the periodic lowering of the lake | | | | large lake in the Interior Plateau of |
| level. These terraces are now used | | | | southern central British Columbia, |
| extensively for agriculture such as | | | | Canada, near Vernon and Okanagan Lake. |
| fruit cultivation. | | | | The lake is named for the Okanagan |
| Cities bordering the lake include Vernon | | | | (Okanogan U.S. spelling) Indian chief |
| in the north, Penticton in the south, | | | | who occupied its northern shores, |
| and Kelowna in the centre. Various lake | | | | although many believe (incorrectly) that |
| features include: Rattlesnake Island, a | | | | it means (lake of) many colours in the |
| small island east of Peachland; Squally | | | | Okanagan language. |
| Point, a popular cliff-diving area; | | | | At different times of the year the |
| Fintry Delta on the west side; and the | | | | colour of the lake can range from cyan |
| Okanagan Lake Bridge, a floating bridge | | | | to indigo, in different spots at the |
| which connects Kelowna to the | | | | same time. This is likely caused by |
| municipality of Westbank. | | | | increased water flow and circulation |
| Okanagan Lake winds between Kelowna | | | | disturbing the silt at the lake bottom. |
| (foreground) and Westbank | | | | Lakes in the Okanagan are not as deep as |
| (background).Many parks and beaches are | | | | those in the Kootenays in southeastern |
| found along the shores of the lake, | | | | British Columbia, but they are certainly |
| which make boating and swimming very | | | | deep, although the silt in the lakes may |
| popular activities. The lake is home to | | | | mask this. |
| several species of fish, including | | | | Two provincial parks are situated along |
| rainbow trout and kokanee. It is said by | | | | Kalamalka Lake: |
| some to be home to its own sea monster - | | | | Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park (external |
| a giant serpent-like creature named | | | | link) |
| Ogopogo. Lake Okanagan is next to | | | | Kekuli Bay Provincial Park (external |
| Canada's only true desert ecosystem. | | | | link) |
| Legends | | | | Kalamalka Lake lies approximately 4 |
| Lake Okanagan is rumoured to hold a | | | | kilometres south of Vernon, British |
| secret: Ogopogo, its own version of the | | | | Columbia. |
| Loch Ness Monster. Ogopogo is envisioned | | | | |