| Okanagan Lake is a large, deep lake in the Okanagan | | | | Ogopogo, 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 351 | | | | within the depths of Lake Okanagan. Despite |
| km2. The lake's assumed maximum depth is 232 | | | | skeptics, 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 possibly | | | | merchandise. Many claim that a lake the size of Lake |
| goes much deeper under the shelves. Some areas of | | | | Okanagan has a strong chance of containing at least |
| the lake have up to 750 meters of glacial and | | | | something unusual. |
| post-glacial sediment fill which were deposited during | | | | Skaha Lake (49°25'N |
| the Pleistocene Epoch.[2] The lake is composed of | | | | 119°35'W) is a |
| three basins, a larger North basin, a central or mid | | | | freshwater lake located in the Okanagan Valley of |
| basin, and a Southern basin. To the North the lake is | | | | British Columbia, Canada. It has a surface area of |
| joined to Kalamalka Lake by Vernon Creek, and in | | | | approximately 20 km2, with a maximum depth of 55 |
| the South it is joined to Skaha Lake by the | | | | metres. The lake is situated directly south of |
| Okanagan River. Notable features of the Okanagan | | | | Okanagan Lake and the city of Penticton, British |
| Valley include terraces which were formed due to | | | | Columbia. |
| the periodic lowering of the lake level. These terraces | | | | It was once known officially as "Dog Lake". |
| are now used extensively for agriculture such as fruit | | | | Kalamalka 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, a | | | | Indian chief who occupied its northern shores, |
| small island east of Peachland; Squally Point, a popular | | | | although 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 which | | | | At 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 Kelowna | | | | the same time. This is likely caused by increased |
| (foreground) and Westbank (background).Many parks | | | | water 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 popular | | | | as 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 by | | | | silt in the lakes may mask this. |
| some to be home to its own sea monster - a giant | | | | Two provincial parks are situated along Kalamalka |
| serpent-like creature named Ogopogo. Lake | | | | Lake: |
| Okanagan is next to Canada's only true desert | | | | Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park (external link) |
| ecosystem. | | | | Kekuli Bay Provincial Park (external link) |
| Legends | | | | Kalamalka Lake lies approximately 4 kilometres south |
| Lake Okanagan is rumoured to hold a secret: | | | | of Vernon, British Columbia. |