Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area
Encyclopedia
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area is a provincial park
in British Columbia
, Canada
.
Kalamalka Lake, named by National Geographic as one of the 10 most beautiful lakes in the world, is one of a handful of unique bodies of water known as "marl lakes". When the lake warms in the summer, calcium carbonate
(or limestone), forms crystals that reflect sunlight and create the vivd blue and green colours. Temperature changes in the fall and the spring sometimes create ribbons of deep blue colour in the lake.
Named after the beautiful Kalamalka Lake
(Lake of a Thousand Colours), this park encompasses 978 hectares of pristine natural beauty in the northern part of the Okanagan Valley. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, has year-round appeal, especially if you've looking for a north Okanagan
getaway that doesn't involve really getting away. On the northeast side of Kalamalka Lake, this park is a well-preserved remnant of the natural grasslands that once stretched from Vernon to Osoyoos. Kalamalka Lake is unique in that it is known as a “marl” lake. When the lake warms in the summer, dissolved limestone crystallizes giving the lake a distinctive blue and green hue. When the lake cools, the limestone crystals disappear.
From the spectacular wildflower display in the spring to the relative seclusion of the beaches and boating spots in summer; from the golden-hued forests in autumn to the rolling, cross-country ski trails in winter, this park is a favourite with visitors year-round.
Two interesting archaeological sites lie within park boundaries, and you may see coyote
, deer
, black bear
, Columbian ground squirrels, yellow-ballied marmots, mink
, bobcat
and red fox
.
Provincial park
A provincial park is a park under the management of a provincial or territorial government in Canada.While provincial parks are not the same as national parks, their workings are very similar...
in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Kalamalka Lake, named by National Geographic as one of the 10 most beautiful lakes in the world, is one of a handful of unique bodies of water known as "marl lakes". When the lake warms in the summer, calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO3. It is a common substance found in rocks in all parts of the world, and is the main component of shells of marine organisms, snails, coal balls, pearls, and eggshells. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime,...
(or limestone), forms crystals that reflect sunlight and create the vivd blue and green colours. Temperature changes in the fall and the spring sometimes create ribbons of deep blue colour in the lake.
Named after the beautiful Kalamalka Lake
Kalamalka Lake
Kalamalka Lake is a large lake in the Interior Plateau of southern central British Columbia, Canada, east of Okanagan Lake and approximately south of Vernon. The lake is named for the Okanagan Kalamalka Lake (aka "Kal Lake") is a large lake in the Interior Plateau of southern central British...
(Lake of a Thousand Colours), this park encompasses 978 hectares of pristine natural beauty in the northern part of the Okanagan Valley. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, has year-round appeal, especially if you've looking for a north Okanagan
Okanagan
The Okanagan , also known as the Okanagan Valley and sometimes as Okanagan Country is a region located in the Canadian province of British Columbia defined by the basin of Okanagan Lake and the Canadian portion of the Okanagan River. As of 2009, the region's population is approximately 350,927. The...
getaway that doesn't involve really getting away. On the northeast side of Kalamalka Lake, this park is a well-preserved remnant of the natural grasslands that once stretched from Vernon to Osoyoos. Kalamalka Lake is unique in that it is known as a “marl” lake. When the lake warms in the summer, dissolved limestone crystallizes giving the lake a distinctive blue and green hue. When the lake cools, the limestone crystals disappear.
From the spectacular wildflower display in the spring to the relative seclusion of the beaches and boating spots in summer; from the golden-hued forests in autumn to the rolling, cross-country ski trails in winter, this park is a favourite with visitors year-round.
Two interesting archaeological sites lie within park boundaries, and you may see coyote
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
, deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, black bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
, Columbian ground squirrels, yellow-ballied marmots, mink
Mink
There are two living species referred to as "mink": the European Mink and the American Mink. The extinct Sea Mink is related to the American Mink, but was much larger. All three species are dark-colored, semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals of the family Mustelidae, which also includes the weasels and...
, bobcat
Bobcat
The bobcat is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago . With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States...
and red fox
Red Fox
The red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia...
.