Stretching south from Penticton to the town of Okanagan Falls, Skaha Lake is the southern one of the two lakes which border Pentiction, the other being
Lake Okanagan.
Were it not for glacial action in the past, there would not be a Penticton. The area would, instead, be lake bed.
The city occupies the entirety of a deposit of glacial till which separates Okanagan Lake from Skaha Lake. As a result, Penticton has lakes and beaches at each of its north and south ends, making it one of just two cities in the world situated between two lakes. The other is a Swiss town nestled between
Lake Brienz and
Lake Thun, appropriately named
Interlaken.
Just over 7 miles long and about 1½ miles in width, Skaha Lake is the third largest in the Okanagan, third to Okanagan Lake and Osoyoos Lake, another 19 miles to the south. At its north end, in Penticton Skaha Lake has a large beach which stretches nearly its entire width. Actually a really wide spot on the Okanagan River, Skaha Lake ends at Okanagan Falls where the valley pinches the lake down to a river again at the falls. From the north, Skaha Lake is fed by the Okanagan River, which has been channelized into a canal which, incidentally, is a very popular tubing channel through the summer.
With all the popular water water related activities one would expect at a tourist driven site, Skaha Lake, and Skaha Beach, are extremely well used all summer.
Gone to the Beach
Penticton is one of just two cities in the world located in between two lakes. Okanagan Lake lies at the north end of the city and Skaha Lake to south. Both lakes are fresh water and great for swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking and many other water sports and activities. Along the shores you’ll find long stretches of golden sandy beaches and all the amenities you need to enjoy a day at the lake.
Whether you just want to kick back and relax or jump on a jetski and create some waves there are countless ways to have some fun in the sun.
Skaha Lake Park & Beach in between Skaha Lake Road and Eastside Road was named one of Canada’s top beaches by Chatelaine magazine. The lush green parkland surrounding the beach provides a perfect shady retreat for cooling off or enjoying a delicious picnic lunch. The area offers an ideal mix of recreation and relaxation with numerous ball courts, play parks and walkways all steps from the water’s edge.
Sudbury Beach along Skaha Lake Road, features a huge beach and swimming area with rest rafts and slides. The beach is also a popular launch site for wind surfers and kite boarders and is especially busy in the fall season when the winds are stronger.
From Visit Penticton
Skaha Lake
Skaha Lake is one of the top reasons why a lot of people love to visit Penticton, British Columbia. The lake features a wide white sandy beach, a lakefront park, and a beautiful promenade. Aside from the numerous water activities available, visitors can also enjoy a fun picnic with family and friends while basking in the beautiful green scenery around the lake. Here are a few important things that you need to know in order to better appreciate your visit here.
Skaha Lake is located in Penticton, British Columbia which is 50 minutes away from Kelowna and 4 hours away from Vancouver. It borders the Cascade Mountains to the west, Okanagan Lake to the north, Okanagan dry forests to the northeast, and the Columbia Plateau to the south. If you’re coming from Okanagan Lake, the best way to get to Skaha Lake is through the 3.8-mile point-to-point channel pathway.
The lake first appeared on maps in 1866 and it was named or labeled “Lac Du Chien” which is French for “Dog Lake.” It was labeled as such because it was how the Okanagan Indians called the lake in their own language. As time went on, the people in the area then began to simply call it, Dog Lake.
It was in 1930 when officials decided to rename the lake back to its local name and called it, Skaha Lake. However, the name Skaha is inaccurate according to the Okanagan Indians as it means “horse.” Their word for dog is “kaekuwapa” which is also spelled as “chokowapee.”
Size
Skaha Lake has a surface area of 19.6 square kilometers or 7.6 sq mi and a maximum depth of 56.7 meters or 186 ft. It has a maximum length of 11.8 kilometers or 7.3 mi and a maximum width of 2.2 kilometers or 1.4 mi. Compared to Okanagan Lake which measures 351 square kilometers or 136 sq mi in surface area, Skaha Lake is way smaller but it is never short on excitement.
Cleanliness
The water is is clean, pristine, and crystal clear which is why it is very popular even among the locals. In Skaha Lake, everything is kept in good order and condition including its water, beautiful white sands, and the amazing lakefront park. Penticton also contributes to keeping the water clean by undertaking tertiary treatment which purifies the city’s wastewater.
Temperature
Since Skaha Lake is situated directly south of Okanagan Lake, the temperatures of both these lakes are in the same range. But technically speaking, we can say that Skaha Lake is warmer as its average temperature is at 25°C during the hottest months while Okanagan Lake only averages 23°C.
Formation
Skaha Lake is one of the many interconnected lakes in the Okanagan Valley. It was formed by the repeated glaciations that displaced the layers of rock in the ground which then created the sub-parallel linked faults system around the area. When the melted glaciers flooded the Okanagan Valley 10,000 years ago, the water was then deposited into the faults system in the Okanagan Valley which created the interconnected lakes, including the Skaha Lake.
From Visiting Skaha Lake