Great Canadian LAKES 
History 
Ecosystem 
First Nations 
Recreation 
KootenayLake/BritishColumbia
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Kootenay Lake

Kootenay Lake Video Index
Native
Natural History
Prospectors		 Diving deep
Moyie?
Internment
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.
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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