Situated within the Selkirk Range and bounded by the Purcell Mountains to the east, Kootenay Lake is over 100 km in length, and is the largest natural lake in southern British Columbia. The small towns and villages that are nestled along its steep shores are picturesque and renowned for their historic charm. The larger part of the lake is orientated north-south, with widths up to 8km. The secondary arm, orientated east-west, is smaller, shallower, has generally more hospitable waters, and more lakeside facilities. With an elevation of 530 meters, the lake is rimmed by ice in the winter but rarely freezes over. A scenic 2-hour ferry trip on the lake is the longest free ferry trip in the world.
The lake is primarily fed by the Kootenay River, which has the distinction of starting in British Columbia, flowing into the United States, and back into British Columbia, before joining the Columbia River and returning to the United States.
The crystal clear waters of the lake reach depths of 150 meters, and support numerous species of fish, including Kokanee Salmon, Dolly Varden and Rainbow Trout. Kayaking and canoeing, boating and swimming are all extremely popular. Numerous parks, including provincial parks, sit along the lake, and many provide access into the spectacular, glaciated mountains in the region. Towns in the Kootenay Lake area include Nelson, Kaslo, Balfour and Ainsworth Hot Springs.
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