Osoyoos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Osoyoos
Town
Town of Osoyoos
Town of Osoyoos
Motto(s):  "Canada's warmest welcome"
Osoyoos Location in British Columbia Show map of British Columbia Osoyoos Location in Canada Show map of Canada
Country	Canada
Province	British Columbia
Region	South Okanagan / Boundary
Regional District	Okanagan-Similkameen
Incorporated	January 14, 1946
Area
• Total	8.76 km2 (3.38 sq mi)
Elevation	283 m (928 ft)
Population  (2021)
• Total	5,556
• Density	660.7/km2 (1,711/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC– 08:00 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC– 07:00 (PDT)
Postal code span	V0H 1V0 & 2V0
Area code(s)	250 / 778 / 236
Highways	Hwy 3 Hwy 97

Osoyoos (pronounced "oss-oo-yoos") is a town in British Columbia, Canada. It's the southernmost town in the Okanagan Valley. Osoyoos is very close to the Canada–United States border, just 3.6 kilometers (about 2 miles) north of Washington State.

The name Osoyoos comes from the word sw̓iw̓s (pronounced "soo-yoos") in the local Okanagan language. This word means "narrowing of the waters," which describes the lake it sits on. The "O-" at the beginning was added later by settlers to make it sound similar to other towns in the Okanagan region.

Osoyoos is a popular place, especially in the summer. Its population of 5,556 (in 2021) grows a lot when visitors come to enjoy the warm weather and lake. Many seniors (people aged 65 and over) choose to live here, making up 43% of the town's population.

Exploring Osoyoos: A Look at Its Past

Osoyoos in 1943

The first Europeans to arrive in Osoyoos were fur traders. They traveled up the Okanagan River to Osoyoos Lake in the early 1800s. Later, the Hudson's Bay Company used the Okanagan Valley as an important route. They moved supplies to forts in British Columbia and sent furs south to sell.

The fur trade ended around 1860. After that, gold rushes changed the area's economy. Many miners traveled through Osoyoos on their way to find gold. They sometimes had conflicts with the local Okanagan people. The Dewdney Trail, a path built for miners, also passed through Osoyoos. Today, parts of this trail are part of the Crowsnest Highway.

In 1861, a customs house was built in Osoyoos. This was to collect taxes from miners and livestock drovers crossing the border. John Carmichael Haynes was the first tax collector. He also became an early settler, getting land near the Okanagan River.

Osoyoos officially became a village in 1946 when the railway arrived. It grew into a town in the 1980s. When the railway stopped running, the old station house was moved and is now used by the Osoyoos Sailing Club.

Geography and Natural Wonders

Osoyoos is located on the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3). This highway climbs steeply out of the Okanagan Valley in both directions. To the east, it goes up Anarchist Mountain. To the west, it leads to Keremeos. Highway 97 goes south from Osoyoos to a 24-hour border crossing with Oroville, Washington in the United States.

The town is right on Osoyoos Lake. This lake is 47.9 kilometers (about 30 miles) around. It is 276 meters (906 feet) above sea level. The lake's surface is the lowest point in Canada within the Okanagan Valley.

Unique Ecosystems and Wildlife

The southern parts of the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys have a special dry ecosystem. It's called the Columbia Plateau ecoregion. This area is known for a plant called antelope brush. Sadly, this unique environment is shrinking because of farming, town growth, and other human activities.

Since 2003, Parks Canada has been studying a large area of grasslands west of Osoyoos. They are looking into protecting it as a national park. This would help save this important ecosystem.

Osoyoos' Warm Climate

Osoyoos has a cold semi-arid climate. This means it's generally hot and dry in the summers. Even though some call it a desert, it gets a bit too much rain to be a true desert.

Osoyoos is known for being one of the warmest places in Canada. The average daytime temperature is 17.0°C (62.6°F). The average yearly temperature is 10.7°C (51.3°F), which is also very warm for Canada.

Summers are usually hot and dry, with low humidity. Temperatures often go above 30°C (86°F). They can even reach over 38°C (100°F) on some days. Even with hot days, the nights are cool. The highest temperature ever recorded in Osoyoos was 45°C (113°F) on June 29, 2021. Winters are short and mild compared to most of Canada. Spring arrives earlier here than in other parts of the Okanagan.

Farming and Local Produce

Osoyoos fruit trees in April

People noticed the good conditions for growing fruit early on. The first commercial fruit orchard was started in 1907. It grew cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, pears, and apples. In 1920, a company called Osoyoos Orchard Limited was formed. They built an irrigation system, bringing water to the west side of town in 1927.

This changed the dry, shrubby land into a rich farming area. Osoyoos became known for having "the earliest fruit in Canada." Today, the area still produces many tree fruits. Farming is a big part of the local economy, along with tourism. You can see many fruit stands along the highways.

More recently, some fruit orchards are being turned into vineyards. This area is now a major wine-producing region in Canada. Most of the valley bottom land around Osoyoos is protected. This means it must be used for farming and cannot be built on for other purposes.

Fun Things to Do: Tourism in Osoyoos

Looking over Osoyoos Lake

Tourism is a huge part of Osoyoos' economy. Many people visit because of the great attractions and activities available.

Osoyoos Lake is famous for being "the warmest freshwater lake in Canada." In summer, the water temperature averages 24°C (75°F). The lake has many public and private beaches, parks, and picnic areas. Some popular spots include Gyro Beach and Sẁiẁs Provincial Park. There are also plans to improve the waterfront in the town center.

Spotted Lake is a unique natural wonder northwest of Osoyoos. It's a special lake with many colorful spots that appear in the summer.

You can also learn about the local environment at two centers. The Osoyoos Desert Centre is north of town. The Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre is on the Osoyoos Indian Reserve. Both teach visitors about the unique desert ecosystem.

For golf lovers, there are several championship golf courses nearby. These include the Osoyoos Golf Club and the Nk'Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course.

Community Life and Demographics

Osoyoos is a growing town. In the 2021 Census, its population was 5,556. This was an increase from 5,050 people in 2016.

The town is very popular with people who are retired. The average age of residents is 55.4 years. This is older than the average age for British Columbia, which is 40.8 years. Osoyoos has one of the highest average ages for seniors in Canada.

The town has a high school called Osoyoos Secondary School.

Sports and Recreation

Osoyoos has a junior hockey team called the Osoyoos Coyotes. They play in the KIJHL. Their home arena is the Osoyoos Sunbowl Arena. The team was started in 2010 and won a championship in 2011.

Famous People from Osoyoos

• Chuck Kobasew – a professional hockey player who is now retired.
• Jack B. Newton – an amateur astronomer who studies stars and planets.
• Alison Smith – a television journalist and news anchor.

Images for kids

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  Town of Osoyoos