Penticton Bodies of Water

The Okanagan River is found in southern British Columbia and also passes through north central Washington where it is known as the Okanogan River. It is a tributary of the Columbia River.

The Okanagan's fourth in the chain of five major lakes, Skaha Lake is one of the region's warmest body of water, and thus the major tourist draw to the area. Its large sandy beaches attract sunbathers and its winds entice windersurfers to flood the area in the summer. The lake is also used for boat cruises and dragon boat races. Lake Skaha is fed by the Okanagan Lake to its north.

The largest of a chain of five lakes in the Thompson-Okanagan region, Lake Okanagan supports a variety of activities from houseboating to waterskiing. Houseboats can be rented for extended touring around the lake, and fishing is a popular pastime with the water full of rainbow trout, carp and ling cod. Be careful of Ogopogo - the Lochness monster of Lake Okanagan. With a water temperature that reaches 24 degrees Celcius in the summer, and 320 km (100 miles) of shoreline, visitors should not forget their swimming suits.