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The Kootenays are a rugged area of tall mountain ranges and numerous lake valleys, formed millions of years ago by geological forces uplifting and folding what was once a shallow inland sea. Kootenay Lake, carved out by ice age floes and flanked by the still glacial capped Purcell and Selkirk mountain ranges, lies at the heart of this of this awe inspiring area. At 90 miles long and 3 miles across at it's widest point, it is one of the largest bodies of fresh water in southern British Columbia, and because of it's distance to major cities and industry, it has remained pure and uncrowded. Mild onshore Pacific air flows tempered by the large volume of water in Kootenay Lake give the area a moderate marine climate. The high mountains wring a fair amount of moisture out of the passing weather, fostering the verdant and biologically diverse landscape, and classifying the region as an interior rainforest. The mountainsides are heavily forested in a mix of Douglas Fir, Hemlock and Cedar, and the lake and valley are habitat to a diverse range of plants and animals. The lake and surrounding wetlands support Bald Eagles, Osprey, Red Tailed Hawks, Owls, as well as a myriad of water fowl and songbirds. The forests host Elk, Whitetail and Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Sheep, Black Beers, Cougar, Lynx, and many other small animals, while the lake is home to Dolly Varden, Kokanee Salmon (a land locked Chinook), Sturgeon and the world famous Gerrard Rainbow Trout among others. The first aboriginal inhabitants subsided on the berries, roots, fish and game prevalent here. The Ktunaxa natives, after who the region is named, came to the lake area seasonally to fish, harvest berries and trade with neighboring tribes, before returning to their settlements in the flatter lands to the south, around where Creston and northern Idaho now are. The area's remoteness and rugged terrain kept it largely undeveloped until the early 1900's, when silver discoveries brought in many prospectors and entrepreneurs. After the boom ended, an influx of orchardists came for the mild climate and excellent farming conditions. Over the last forty or so years the area's population has been slowly but steadily increasing, as more individuals discover the it's unique mix of wilderness and culture and make it their home. Today, a vibrant community echoes the vigour and diversity of the landscape, with many small businesses and artisans thriving in the natural splendor. There is much to see, do, and enjoy here in the Kootenays! |
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