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Kootenay
Lake
British Columbia
The rugged shoreline of Kootenay
Lake stretches 120 km along the great
gaps between the low mountains of southeastern
British Columbia. The Selkirks and Purcell
Mountain ranges can be seen from along Kootenay
Lake's shore, as can the great Kokanee Glacier.
Prior to the 1800s, the Lower
Kootenay Indians were the sole inhabitants
of this resource rich land, drawn to the lakeshore
seasonally to collect huckleberries and catch
Kokanee
salmon. In the 1860s a few European settlers
began to harvest the resources of the land.
In the early 1900s, the CPR started publishing
brochures touting the area as a great oasis
for establishing orchards, and a significant
number of English
settlers were lured over. Apples, strawberries,
and especially cherries are the most successful
crops.
The region is a 4-season sports
and recreation destination for bikers,
hikers, skiers, campers and boaters.
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| History |
Ecosystem |
Gold
& Fruit
Mining during the late 1800’s caused
an influx of prospectors to the area, resulting
in an increase in settlement and industrial
activity. Learn
more here. |
Fish
& Wildlife
The region has many hydro-electric dam developments
– to counter the effects of the dams,
many initiatives protect Kootenay Lake’s
wildlife. Learn
more here. |
| First
Nations |
Recreation |
Ktunaxa
Nation
The Ktunaxa (Kootenai) tribe fished, hunted
and settled in the Kootenay Lake region; they
developed the unique ‘sturgeon-nose’
canoe. Learn
more here. |
Mountains
of Fun
The area provides many opportunities for boating,
swimming, fishing, camping, scuba-diving,
backcountry hiking and winter sports. Learn
more here. |
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