Vernon lake questions, answered

What counts as "waterfront" property in BC, and what's the difference between lakefront, lake view and lake access?

In practice, "waterfront" or "lakefront" means the lot itself runs to the lake. "Lake view" means you can see the water but don't touch it. "Lake access" means you can reach the water, such as a shared beach, strata dock or nearby public access, without owning the shoreline yourself.

These are marketing terms, so check what the title and survey actually show. One BC detail surprises buyers. The Province owns almost all foreshore, the strip between the high and low water marks, along with the lakebed beyond it. Even true lakefront owners don't own the beach below the high water mark.

That matters for docks and shoreline work. A dock sits on Crown land, and approval to build one goes to the upland owner under provincial rules. Shoreline changes can also trigger riparian setbacks.

For more, see my riparian and shoreline rules guide, my dock guide and my Vernon waterfront buyer's guide.

Sources: Government of BC: Land use - private moorage (foreshore and aquatic Crown land), Government of BC: General Permission for Private Moorage (PDF).

General information only, not legal or tax advice. Talk to a lawyer or accountant.

Why is Kalamalka Lake so blue (or green)?

Kalamalka Lake gets its colours from marl. It is one of a small number of marl lakes. As the water warms in summer, dissolved calcium carbonate (limestone) forms tiny white crystals. Those crystals reflect sunlight and give the lake its well-known bands of turquoise, blue and green.

That is why the colour shifts. On a hot, sunny day in mid-summer the lake looks most vivid. In cooler months, on cloudy days or in deeper water, it looks darker. The best places to see it are the viewpoints and beaches at Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, 8 km south of Vernon city centre.

If you're comparing the lakes, I cover the differences in Kalamalka Lake vs Okanagan Lake. For homes on the lake, see my Kalamalka Lake waterfront page.

Sources: BC Parks: Kalamalka Lake Park, UBC Okanagan, Faculty of Education: Geographical Processes transcripts (PDF).

Does Okanagan Lake have swimmer's itch or leeches?

Swimmer's itch can show up on Okanagan Lake, mostly in warm summer weather. BC Parks warns it may be present at times at Ellison Park, and posts the same warning for Kalamalka Lake Park. It is an itchy rash caused by tiny parasite larvae, it is not contagious, and it usually clears up on its own.

HealthLinkBC says the rash starts as small red spots within hours and can itch for a few days or up to two weeks. To lower the odds:

• Towel off hard as soon as you leave the water.
• Stay away from weedy shallows.
• Get in from a dock or wharf instead of wading out from shore.
• Watch for posted warnings at the beach.

On leeches, I haven't found official guidance specific to Okanagan Lake, so I won't guess. If a certain beach or shoreline matters to you, ask me before you buy. Related: my Okanagan Lake waterfront page and my Ellison Park guide.

Sources: HealthLinkBC File: Swimmer's itch, BC Parks: Ellison Park, BC Parks: Kalamalka Lake Park.

Can you camp at Kalamalka Lake? A guide to Ellison and Kekuli Bay parks

Yes. On Kalamalka Lake, the provincial campground is at Kekuli Bay Park, 11 km south of Vernon off Highway 97. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, the big park with Jade Bay and Cosens Bay, has no campground listed by BC Parks. For camping on Okanagan Lake, Ellison Park is about 16 km from downtown Vernon.

Kekuli Bay Park sits on the west side of Kalamalka Lake. It has a busy boat launch, a rocky swimming area, and the Okanagan Rail Trail passing through near the water. Pets must be leashed and are not allowed on the beach.

Ellison Park covers 220 hectares on the northeast shore of Okanagan Lake. It has three main beaches, one of them a leashed-pet beach, plus trails and western Canada's only freshwater dive park. There is no boat launch.

Both campgrounds book through BC Parks online or at 1-800-689-9025 Book ahead for summer. I go deeper in my Ellison Park guide. For homes near these parks, see Kalamalka Lake waterfront.

Sources: BC Parks: Kekuli Bay Park, BC Parks: Ellison Park, BC Parks: Kalamalka Lake Park.