-increased demand for irrigation, drinking and domestic water
-loss of natural lakeshore and fish habitat
-loss of wetlands
-increase in algae, and aquatic weeds such as milfoil
-pollution coming from motorboats, agricultural runoff, septic tanks, urban runoff, storm drains, lakeside development, bird excrement, and general litter/garbage and airbourne pollutants
Is the lake safe to swim in?
On the whole, yes. We recommend that people, and particularly small children, stay away from the shallow areas where geese congregate, as geese droppings can carry disease such as e-coli.
Swimmers should be extremely cautious of the deep water and strong currents on the south side of the Haynes Point sandspit. CAUTION: YOU SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO SWIM ACROSS THE BOAT CHANNEL AT THE TIP OF Haynes Point. SEVERAL DROWNINGS HAVE OCCURRED HERE, INCLUDING SOME WHO WERE STRONG SWIMMERS.
How deep is Osoyoos Lake?
Its deepest point is near the centre of the north basin, east of the Packing House. Here it is 62 metres (208 feet ) deep. The average depth is only about 14 metres. Boaters should avoid the long sandspit at the east end of Haynes Point Provincial Park, where the water is usually less than knee deep. The boat channel is marked by two large yellow buoys.
Why does the lake level go up and down?
It is controlled by the Zosel Dam in Oroville. Also there are seasonal fluctuations in lake levels depending on runoff from the mountain snowpacks and general precipitation. More details ....
Can I go fishing in the lake, and can I eat the fish I catch?
Yes, and yes. However, we don’t recommend eating quantities of lake fish over long periods of time. A fishing regulations guide can be picked up from the Shell service station in Osoyoos. Good places to fish are near the bridge on Motel Row, and just outside the entrance to Solana Bay. More details .....
What kind of fish are in the lake?
There are about 11 main types of fish found here, (Rainbow Trout, Small Mouth and Large Mouth Bass, Black Bullhead, Yellow Perch, Carp, Large-scale Suckers, Whitefish, Sockeye Salmon and Black Crappie) with perhaps only 6-7% of the Kokanee left.
What are the painted yellow fish next to storm drains?
They are to remind people not to dump litter, oils or anything else down the storm drains. The drains exit directly into Osoyoos Lake without filtration or treatment of any kind. Our storm drains are one of the worst single point polluters of the lake. More details ......
What is Swimmer’s Itch?
Itchy red spots that can occur on your skin after swimming in the lake and may last several days. They are caused by a parasite that lives in tiny snails and aquatic birds during two stages of their life cycle. It can be prevented by showering or towelling off thoroughly after swimming, and by staying away from the shallow areas where geese, ducks, and other waterfowl congregate. It can be treated with 1% hydrocortisone cream. Swimmer’s Itch rarely occurs and should not be a deterrent to most swimmers. More details ......
What about boating?
Boating and sea-doo regulations have changed recently.The new laws require everyone born after 1983 to obtain a Pleasure Boat Operator’s Card provided by Boatsmart Canada ($35.00). You can obtain this at the Starlite Marina (Holiday Inn) near Osoyoos bridge. You will be given a manual to study and then asked to come back next day and take a written test. You will then be issued with a temporary licence with the official certificate being mailed to you within 6 weeks. Marina staff have a zero-tolerance policy regarding safety and environmental protection, and give all boat/seadoo renters a 20-minute orientation session before allowing people on the water.
Copies of ‘Safe Boating Guide’ can be obtained from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and from the Starlite Marina.
Large motor boats and sea-doos can cause serious erosion, pollution, noise and safety problems in the lake, so we strongly encourage the use of non-motorised boats such as sailboats and canoes.
Can I go across the border in a boat?
You are advised NOT to cross the border, even if you don’t intend to go ashore. If you do cross, you have to get out of your boat at Oroville State Park and phone to US Customs. You will need all the documentation you’d normally need if you were crossing in a vehicle, plus a special permit obtained in advance from Customs. A Customs officer will come down to your boat and inspect it before allowing you to proceed. You must also phone and then wait for Canadian Customs at the Starlite Marina dock when you return. (So you see it can get quite complicated!) More on boating .....
