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