Springtime Water Levels ~ Kamloops Lake ~ Thompson River

Water, water everywhere!  The annual high water in the area seems to have reached its seasonal high and we can only hope that there will be no more damage done.  We dealt with the flood of ’72 when our new home was flooded along with the rest of the Oak Hills subdivision so we know well the difficulties that can come from that.  

Beautiful Kamloops Lake

Today we are looking at high waters but enjoying the views.  Kamloops Lake, which is 1.6 km wide, 29 km long and 152 m deep, has reached the high water levels but will hopefully soon recede.  These measurements would vary, depending on the time of year but we get an idea of size from these.

Debris floats down lake

Over 60% of the fluctuation of the lake occurs during the spring months of May and June.  The lake levels rise as much as 9 m (30 ft) during this time.  This is when you can see debris being carried down the river in mass amounts.  Most of which are trees, twigs and branches from the shoreline but many other things have been seen over the years. 

Scenic Kamloops Lake

The South Thompson which flows from the Shuswap Lake and the North Thompson Rivers meet in Kamloops then widen out to be Kamloops Lake until it narrows down into the Thompson River again as it leaves Savona, about 50 km west of Kamloops.  It has limited accessibility along most of the shoreline but there are boat launches available for those who like to enjoy boating on this lovely lake.

Savona Park

The public park at Savona is covered in water but it hasn’t prevented some from enjoying the sunshine on this late day in May.  Some were seen at the park, on the wharf and boating.  It isn’t safe boating in water with this much debris as many pieces cannot be seen so boat with caution anytime but especially now.

Debris gathers along shoreline

Savona gets the debris as it gathers in the small alcoves and the shoreline when the water recedes.  I am sure some of what we saw were accumulated over several seasons but it is amazing the amount that flows down the lake.

No marmots to be seen

McArthur Park has no damage seen by the high waters other than there being no little marmots out looking for treats.  Their homes are hollows in the riverbanks so have been filled with water causing them to move on, but they seem to come back every year.  

MacPark Slough

The Slough fills up high, making it much prettier than with low summer waters but again, it disrupts the local lives of geese and ducks who make their homes in these waters.  A deer and her fawn were at home just below this spot last summer when we visited.  They couldn’t be doing that now.

Momma Duck and her ducklings

As we were driving out of the park, this Momma Duck and her babies were crossing the road so we stopped to watch the parade.  All went well until they got to the curb and the little ones just could not jump up that high. We watched for a few minutes yet Momma was just standing there waiting, no attempt to help.

Wonderful helper

A kind lady went over and gently helped those little ones up over the curb while Momma just stood and watched, without making any squawks or sounds of objection!  Within moments they were all together again and on their way.

Happy family continues

What a nice way to end our sightseeing day.

Pelicans ~ Kamloops Lake ~ Kamloops, BC

I used to understand pelicans to be a coastal bird so it should be a rare one for our area of Kamloops, BC but that just isn’t so.  The Brown Pelican is the one who lives along the coastal waters, some of whom we have seen before but that was during visits in the Southern US.  The American White Pelican visits Kamloops so we’re going to visit them.

Pelican coming in for landing on Kamloops Lake, BC

The American White Pelican has been making Kamloops a stopover on their migration travels from their homes farther north.  There are several places they spend the summer months in before making their way south for the winter.  They’ve been seen in other places on their stopovers in our area but our visit with them was at Cooney Bay on Kamloops Lake this year.

Pelicans group fishing

In the summer months, they nest in colonies from NE California to as far north as the Northwest Territories then migrate south in September or October.  They spend the winter months near the Pacific Coast and Gulf of Mexico as far south as Panama, preferring estuaries and lakes.  

Pelican having a drink

The American White Pelican will avoid open ocean on their migrations and favor desert and mountain areas for their travels.  I recently heard about the Australian pelican that gather by the thousands at an inland lake only to have to abandon many of their young who are too young to fly hundreds of kilometers to survive as the lake dries up in the summer heat.  Thankfully this isn't a problem in this country.

Pelicans follow the leader

 The Brown Pelican will dive into the water for their fish, or wait for fisherman’s scraps on the pier as we watched in Texas, but the White catches their fish while swimming.  Their head only will be below water when they catch the fish in their big bill taking in up to 20 litres then straining out the water.

Pelican sees a fish

We saw a flock of pelicans on a visit to the Salton Sea in Southern California last spring.  There are lots of fish in this sea which makes for a great feeding area for them.  Tilapia in abundance would make fishing easy for these large birds.  Click here to see those, some of whom just may be in Kamloops first, and learn more about their size and wing span. 

Fish sighting causes some excitement

The pelican is a very large bird and adults will eat 4 pounds of fish every day.  The pelicans are usually in a group of 12 or more and will corral the fish for one another. There are times they fight over the catch but I guess that would depend on the supply; there did not appear to be any fighting here.  

Fish sighting 

These pelicans were near where the Tranquille Creek comes into the lake, bringing a supply of fish to them including the rainbow trout.  They’d float back and forth near the mouth of the creek and occasionally we’d see one reach down for a fish, this often brought a flurry of others to that spot, too. 

Pelican scatter across Kamloops Lake, BC

We counted about 30 pelicans on Kamloops Lake this day, many more than the 3 or 4 we’d seen on a visit here a week earlier. They were spread over a large area of the lake and we likely did not see all of them, we’d heard there were a lot more on this visit.

Pelican came up empty

Pelicans were removed from the national endangered species list in 1987 but they’re still considered endangered in Alberta and protected in all of Canada. The numbers have increased but not to the point they’ve been in the past, but hopefully that will change.

Pelicans coming in for a landing

The pelicans don’t stay for long so it was a great treat to be able to see them during their brief stay here. They’re making their way south for the winter months then return to their nesting grounds in March and April. It was entertaining to watch them come in for their landings, which is skipping along the water until they slow down enough to land. 

Kamloops Lake, BC

The access to Cooney Bay is easy when the lake is at the low level of the season.  It was very windy on our first visit but the second time was better making it easy to walk to the mouth of Tranquille Creek and sit on the sand or driftwood to watch the pelicans.  

What a great way to spend some time and just another reason why there is no place like home.

Kamloops Railways ~ CPR ~ CNR ~ Kamloops, BC

Kamloops has a long history and much of that includes the railways.  It all began in 1879 when Sir John A. Macdonald, the Prime Minister of Canada, called for tender to construct 206 km (128 mi.) section of railway from Yale, BC to Savona’s Ferry on Kamloops Lake. The Canadian Pacific Railway, commonly referred to as the CPR was founded in 1881.

Kamloops Lake, Kamloops, BC

CPR hired workers from China, called coolies, and other workers including European, called navies were also hired to construct the railway lines as we know it now.  The Chinese were paid less but did the most dangerous jobs including explosives. They were treated poorly but played a major role in building the western stretch of railway.

Railway tracks follow Kamloops Lake edge

Following WW 1 and several changes to the systems of control, the Canadian government took control and formed the new Canadian National Railway, the CNR by combining eastern and western railway companies and made it national. 

Railway routes were carved out of mountains and rock

The CNR completed a track in 1915 that used the Yellowhead Pass through the Rockies that then ran parallel to the CPR from Kamloops to Vancouver, BC.  There were several mountain passes that would have seemed impossible to lay tracks through but it was done.  We can read about but only imagine the hardships that the men who constructed these miles of railroads that we still use today, had to endure.

Viewpoint from Cherry Creek as train arrives into Kamloops, BC

The completion of the transcontinental railway was a condition set by Sir John A. Macdonald for British Columbia’s entry into Confederation to connect the west to the east.  He saw a unified Canadian nation and Quebec and Ontario had sought access to the raw materials and markets found in the west.  The last spike was driven in at Craigellachie, BC on November 7, 1885.

Freight train seen while boating on Kamloops Lake

Both the CNR and the CPR now have railways that are on either side of the Kamloops Lake and many times a day there are freight trains carrying cargo for destinations, some to go all the way across Canada from Vancouver. 

Railway tracks line both sides of Kamloops Lake

CNR freight travels through Kamloops to Edmonton, AB and northern Alberta.  The CPR travels onto Calgary, AB to the east.  There is a total of 72,212 km (44,870 mi) of functioning railway tracks in Canada.

Spectacular sight for visitors arriving in Kamloops by train

Over the years, there has been a passenger train service for those wishing to enjoy that mode of travel as well as the scenery they will get to enjoy as they travel through the Fraser Valley or the scenic routes it would follow from Kamloops. 

The Rocky Mountaineer arrives at the CPR station in Kamloops, BC

If you are wanting to travel some of these railroads and wish to have a tour of some of our beautiful BC scenery, a great way to do that would be with the Rocky Mountaineer.  I hear they offer wonderful holiday packages.  The Rocky Mountaineer now carries passengers following the CNR tracks on the northern side of Kamloops Lake as it approaches Kamloops and its overnight stay. 

The old CPR Staion in Kamloops, BC

The original CPR railway station has been restored to be a restaurant as well as facilities for the passengers of the Rocky Mountaineer and closely resembles a true railway station of days gone by.  I can almost hear those famous words.   Aaaaaall aboaaard!

The Kamloops Heritage Society restored the old CNR Steam Locomotive 2141 and has been offering train rides for all to enjoy.  The “Spirit of Kamloops” will soon be ready to begin the 2011 season.  Watch for the summer schedule and plan to take a ride on that old train for an unforgettable experience.

Kamloops Lake ~ Cherry Creek ~ Savona, BC ~

We love RVing that takes us to every corner of this beautiful country but sometimes we may see something right outside our own door (or perhaps a friends’ door) that can take our breath away.  I enjoy every season looking at Kamloops Lake from our favorite viewpoint in Cherry Creek.

Kamloops Lake, Kamloops, BC

The North Thompson River meets the South Thompson River in Kamloops then flow into Kamloops Lake, west of downtown Kamloops.  Due to the fact that the lake is river fed, the level can vary quite a bit over the year.  There can be up to 30 feet difference between high and low season, which exposes rocky edges and wide beaches late summer and fall.

Reflections on Kamloops Lake, BC

Kamloops Lake is 1.6 km (1mi) wide and 29 km (18 mi) long, and averages 71m (233 ft) deep.   The water passes thru the lake at varying speeds, depending on the time of year and volume of water in the lake but averages about 60 days for all water to pass through Kamloops Lake.  This water qualifies to meet or exceed the Canadian Drinking Water Standards. 

Snowy rockface on Kamloops Lake, BC

Frederick is a small community on the north side of the lake, and Tobiano Golf Course and Cherry Creek are situated on the south side.  Savona was originally set on the north side and called Savona Ferry.  It was at Savona that “the Martin” was launched, reported to be the first steamboat built in the interior of B.C.

 

Everchanging shadows and reflections on Kamloops Lake

Savona Ferry was the last stop of the Cariboo Wagon Road from Cache Creek and where travelers then boarded the steamship to journey up Kamloops Lake to Kamloops during the years 1865-1885 before the CPR was built.  It was then at that time that Savona Ferry was moved across the frozen lake, building by building as the railway became the main transportation.

 

Grandpa and Grandson enjoy the view of Kamloops Lake

Winter can bring cold enough temperatures that ice is formed on the lake but rarely would it ever be considered thick enough to skate or ice fish on.  I believe there could be shallow bays that might be more likely to freeze enough for skating, which did happen in recent years in Savona.  Usually there are just very thin ice patches, as seen from this viewpoint.

 

Viewpoint of Kamloops Lake at Savona, BC

The highway we now use on the south side of Kamloops Lake was built in the early 1900’s.  Just east of Savona there is a Viewpoint Lookout and Rest stop that offers a 180 degree view.  From here you will enjoy an incredible view of Kamloops Lake as well as see where both CNR and CPR tracks meander along both sides of the lake.  It would not be long before you would be watching a train as it makes its way past the viewpoint and rest area.

 

Balancing Rock on Kamloops Lake, BC

The Savona Balancing Rock, called the ‘Coyote Rock’ by local First Nations can be viewed from the highway if you go a short distance down the highway from the Viewpoint Lookout towards Savona.  It does blend in well with its’ surroundings and can be a bit difficult to see.  There is a trail through private property that apparently owners allow hikers to use, still further down the road, that would give you a closer view.  This picture was taken from lakeside.

 

                                                         Savona on Kamloops Lake, BC

The major lakeside community is Savona as you enter the Gold Country from the east.  This would suggest it was so named due to the history of the gold rush of years gone by but I think I may have found the ‘pot of gold’ right in downtown Savona if I follow this rainbow.  Kamloops Lake and surrounding areas including Savona, are truly treasures to enjoy.

Tranquille Wildlife Management Area ~ Herons ~ Pelicans ~ Kamloops, BC, Canada

We love Kamloops for all that it has to offer and that includes the visitors that we get. We were enjoying a nearby park recently and I was surprised to find one of those visitors, who flew up into a tree while I was looking at the flowers ! I did not know what he was, but was taking lots of pictures and now I was on a mission to find out. The first thing I had to do was get my pictures onto my computer to get a better look at him. The next thing I would do is put the binoculars in the car for future surprise visitors !

 

Visiting heron on McArthur Island

What I had taken a picture of was a visiting heron. He wasn’t exactly the color that I was familiar with but then, I hadn’t seen herons in Kamloops before. There are more than one kind and this one appears to be a different color from the Great Blue Heron (clik here to read more) that we had seen on our RV adventures.

Tranquille Wildlife Management area in July

We had visited the Tranquille Wildlife Management area in July and the water covered a much larger area then. In 1989 there were 245 hectares of land designated as the Tranquille Wildlife Management Area in order to manage valuable wetland habitat for waterfowl and other species that were dependent on the wetlands. 

Tranquille WMA with high water

This area 18 km (10 mi) west of Kamloops where the Thompson River enters Kamloops Lake, is typically flooded from mid May to mid July due to the spring runoff into the Thompson River and is part of the Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected area.

Canada Geese sit on fencepost

The Canada Geese were using fence posts to perch on due to the high water in July.  They are regular visitors, if not residents at many places in Kamloops. Typical fowl found in the wetlands aside from the Canada Geese are swans, mallards, Goldeneye and Wood Ducks.

Canada Geese and goslings in July

With the water so high, it came close to the roadside. I was able to see the Canada Geese and their young as they swam over the fence ! The best birdwatching time at the Tranquille WMA is March, April, May, Sept, Oct., and November but it looks like we have visitors during summer months, too.

 

Tranquille WMA with low water in August

Now that we knew the park visitor was a heron, we were on our way out to see the Tranquille Wildlife Management area again as my search for answers had said that there were visiting herons out there. Now we know where the visiting heron was likely headed to, he had just missed his target by 18 km (10 mi) !

A flock of heron at Tranquille WMA

We found the rest of his flock, hopefully he did, too. The article (clik to read that article) I found said that there were Great Blue Herons out there, and this was written by Rob Butler, so I will believe they were gray herons. The same article said there were other visitors out there, too and this I had to see with my own
eyes !

Pelicans at Tranquille WMA

These wetlands are resting areas for spring and fall migration but nothing would have made me expect these visitors in the middle of our summer months, let alone these ones. There were four large white pelicans swimming around the pond.

 

Visiting Pelicans in Kamloops, BC, Canada

It isn’t possible to get close to the pond so it was difficult to get pictures of the pelicans. They were busy diving for food and were swimming very quickly but I did manage to get some proof that they were really visiting Kamloops on this August afternoon. The only other time we’d seen white pelicans was on our visit to Texas during our RV adventure.

We know that Kamloops is the chosen destination for many visitors but these ones are here without many people knowing it, and I am glad to be one that does.

This tells another reason why we love Kamloops ~ there is just no place like home.

Tranquille River ~ Criss Creek ~ Savona, BC, Canada

We love Kamloops and any opportunity we have to show it off to others is our pleasure to do. We had visiting family that were keen to see anything we wanted to show them, so on July 1 we said we’d take them for a drive to see some of the hills that are hidden up behind Kamloops. We’d hoped for sunshine and had clouds instead, but packed a picnic and headed out for the day.

CN Rail follows along Kamloops Lake

We followed Tranquille Road past the Kamloops airport out to the old Tranquille farm where we took the Red Lake road up the hill. There are some great views here, including the tunnel for the CN rail before you are out of sight of Kamloops Lake.  We followed this road which meanders through the hills and mountains that show some very deep valleys down below that road. Some of the views were surprising, well hidden behind the trees at times but showing some of those pretty valleys. We saw cattle wandering around, willing to share the road with us as long as we weren’t in a hurry.

                                                               Bridge over Tranquill River                                                                                        

We stopped just after crossing an old bridge, which appears to be a Bailey bridge from the view we had from down at the water. This is the Tranquille River on the maps but more generally called a creek, likely due to its size, we expect rivers to be much wider.

                                   

Cedar Waxwing Bird

We stopped at a Forest Service recreational park right beside the creek to have a ‘tailgate picnic’. There were lots of mosquitoes to share our picnic with but we’d gone prepared for that. We did enjoy the birds there, and were able to get several pictures of the pretty Cedar Waxwing as we quietly watched them.

Ranching down in the valley

There are many roads which one might want to follow, but not a bad idea to have a map or someone who knows their way through this area. We thought that because it was a national holiday we would not see any working trucks, but we were passed by several fast moving trucks with pup trailers transporting clay. Be aware and prepared to move over.

Round bales of hay dot the valley

There are many ranches up in this area and we stopped to watch the rancher doing his job, this Canada Day. No holidays for the rancher when there is work to be done.

Flowers color the hillside leading to Kamloops Lake

We then followed Criss Creek Road for awhile before we reached our destination for the day. We never did get sunshine but it wasn’t a cold day so we were able to celebrate Canada Day on Kamloops Lake with more family.

Baby's Breath grows wild

And this was where we got the biggest wildlife surprise of the day with the sightings of the California Bighorn Sheep. Be sure to see those pictures on the other blog page by clicking here.

Copper Creek on Kamloops Lake

After a traditional Canada Day barbeque dinner, we left to finish our day trip and followed the road to Savona, (clik to see more) then onto Hwy 1.  We found the one ray of sunshine of the day and it made for such a pretty scene over at the Copper Creek settlement across Kamloops Lake, another photo opp. 

It was a great day to share with our family from the UK. It also gives us the opportunity to see Kamloops from a visitor’s point of view to remind us of what a great place we live in, there is just no place like home !