Osoyoos

File:Osoyoos, British Columbia (1943).jpg

The first Europeans to visit Osoyoos were fur traders working for the Pacific Fur Company, an American enterprise. They ventured up the Okanagan River to Osoyoos Lake and farther north. After the Hudson's Bay Company took over the fur trade in 1821, the Okanagan Valley became a major trade route for supplies to inland forts of British Columbia and furs that were shipped south to the Columbia River and the Pacific to European and Asian markets. The final Hudson's Bay Company brigade in 1860 was the end of an era, as gold rushes transformed the economy of the new Colony of British Columbia. As parties of miners headed for the Fraser goldfields via the Okanagan Trail, they commonly met conflict with the Okanagan people.McGowan's War, Chapter: The Okanagan Trail, Donald J. Hauka, New Star Books, Vancouver (2000) {{ISBN|1-55420-001-6}}British Columbia Chronicle, 1847–1871: Gold & Colonists, Helen and G.P.V. Akrigg, Discovery Press, Vancouver (1977) {{ISBN|0-919624-03-0}} The Dewdney Trail passed through Osoyoos on its way from Hope to the Kootenays. The trail now forms the backbone of the Crowsnest Highway.

Thousands of miners heading to the goldfields and drovers with large herds of livestock crossed the 49th parallel after 1858.{{cite web|url=http://historylink.org/File/7608|title=Okanogan County — Thumbnail History|publisher=HistoryLink.org, The State of Washington|date=13 March 2007|access-date=15 December 2018}} A customs house was built in Osoyoos in 1861 with John Carmichael Haynes as the tax collector.{{cite web|url=http://www.crowsnest-highway.ca/cgi-bin/citypage.pl?city=OSOYOOS#2 |title=Detailed history on "Crowsnest Highway" website history page |publisher=Crowsnest-highway.ca |access-date=2011-07-28}} Haynes was also the first pioneer settler who obtained land along the Okanagan River north of Osoyoos that had been part of the Osoyoos Indian Reserve established by the Joint Indian Reserve Commission in 1877.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} These lands, now known as the Haynes Lease lands, remain as an original house and barn.

Osoyoos was incorporated as a village in 1946 when the railway arrived and became a town in the 1980s.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} When the railway was discontinued, its station house was purchased from the Town of Osoyoos and moved 300 m north to its current location by the Osoyoos Sailing Club.

Osoyoos is situated on the east-west Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) with a significant ascent out of the Okanagan Valley in either direction. The Crowsnest headed east begins with an {{cvt|18|km}} switchback up the flank of the Okanagan Highland with a {{cvt|685|m}} rise to the mining and ranching region of Anarchist Mountain, which is part of the Boundary Country (the stretch of rising highway is also referred to as Anarchist Mountain). Highway 3 westbound leads to Keremeos and the Similkameen Valley via Richter Pass. On Highway 97 south is a 24-hour border crossing between Canada and the United States between Osoyoos and Oroville, Washington. The Canada–United States border is located {{cvt|4|km}} south of the Highway 3 and 97 intersection on the northwest side of town.

The town is situated on Osoyoos Lake, which has a perimeter of {{cvt|47.9|km}}, an elevation of {{cvt|276|m}}, a maximum depth of {{cvt|63|m}}, and a mean depth of {{cvt|14|m}}. The lake's elevation marks the lowest point in Canada of the Okanagan Valley.

The far southern reaches of the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys are part of a threatened xeric shrubland ecosystem in Canada known as the Columbia Plateau ecoregion. Specifically, the ecosystem of the area is named after the antelope brush plant typical of the local climate. This ecosystem was once more prevalent in the South Okanagan but is now becoming fragmented and degraded due to the spread of agriculture, urban development, and other human activities.

Since 2003, a feasibility study by Parks Canada has been going on to determine the need for protection of a large area of grasslands west of the town known as the South Okanagan-Lower Similkameen National Park Reserve Feasibility Study.{{cite web |agency= Government of Canada, Parks Canada Agency |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/np-pn/cnpn-cnnp/os-os/index_e.asp |title=South Okanagan–Lower Similkameen National Park Reserve Feasibility Study |publisher=Pc.gc.ca |date=2006-11-17 |access-date=2011-07-28}}

{{climate chart

| Osoyoos

| −3.8 | 2.0 | 28.8

| −2.9 | 6.7 | 22.3

| −0.3 | 12.5 | 24.0

| 3.6 | 18.2 | 24.1

| 7.9 | 23.1 | 37.1

| 11.6 | 26.8 | 41.7

| 14.3 | 31.5 | 24.6

| 13.5 | 31.1 | 17.3

| 9.0 | 25.6 | 14.9

| 3.5 | 16.4 | 18.6

| −0.6 | 7.1 | 33.8

| −3.5 | 2.0 | 35.8

|float=left

|date=September 12, 2017 }}

The climate, according to the Köppen climate classification, is a cold semi-arid (BSk) with summers that are generally hot and dry. Although it claims to be a desert, Osoyoos is actually about {{cvt|100|mm}} too wet to be an actual desert. The average daytime temperature in Osoyoos is {{cvt|17.0|C}}, which is the warmest in Canada.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024|reason=The original citation didn't contatin the information}} Osoyoos also has an average annual temperature of {{cvt|10.7|C}}, which is one of the warmest in the country.

September and October are usually dry and sunny with cool mornings. Winters are short and mild by Canadian standards, and usually dry, but can be cold for brief periods during Arctic outflow conditions bringing sporadic snowfall. Spring arrives earlier than other parts of the Okanagan. Osoyoos averages seven months at or above a {{cvt|10|C}} mean temperature.

During the summer, the southern Okanagan Valley is on average one of the hottest areas in Canada during the day, one of the few places in Canada where the average high is above {{cvt|30|C}}. Temperatures exceed {{cvt|35|C}} on average 17 days per summer, sometimes topping {{cvt|38|C}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climateData/dailydata_e.html?StationID=1041 |title=Daily Data | Canada's National Climate Archive |publisher=Climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca |date=2011-05-18 |access-date=2011-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319072118/http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climateData/dailydata_e.html?StationID=1041&Month=3&Day=18&Year=2012&timeframe=2 |archive-date=2012-03-19}}{{Failed verification|date=December 2024}} Although days are hot, the humidity is low and nights cool adequately. The summer mean is higher in Windsor, Ontario, {{cvt|21.6|C}} in Osoyoos compared to {{cvt|22.0|C}} in Windsor, due to warmer nights where July averages {{cvt|23.0|C}}.{{cite web|url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=ON&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=217000000&dispBack=0 |title=Windsor, Ontario |work=1991 to 2020 Canadian Climate Normals Data| publisher=Environment and Climate Change Canada |date=2024-10-01 |access-date=2024-12-06}} The USDA places Osoyoos in Plant Hardiness Zone 7a.{{cite web|url=http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/InteractiveMap.aspx |title=Interactive Map | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |publisher=Planthardiness.ars.usda.gov |access-date=2012-10-31}}

The highest temperature ever recorded in Osoyoos was {{cvt|45.0|C}} on 29 June 2021 during the 2021 Western North America heat wave. The coldest temperature ever recorded was {{cvt|-21.7|C}} on 4 December 2007 and {{cvt|-26.5|C}} at Osoyoos West on 29 December 1990.

{{Osoyoos weatherbox}}

Average number of days:

• above {{cvt|20|C}}: 142.4
• above {{cvt|30|C}}: 36.0
• above {{cvt|35|C}}: 5.3

{{more citations needed|date=January 2014}}

File:Osoyoos fruit trees.jpg

Although the fruit-growing possibilities were noticed by early settlers, the first commercial orchard in the area was not established until 1907, growing cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums, pears and apples. Osoyoos Orchard Limited was formed in 1920 and an irrigation project was planned which finally brought water to the west bench via "The Ditch" in 1927. The former shrub-steppe environment was transformed into a lush agricultural belt and Osoyoos promoted "the earliest fruit in Canada".

Today, the area continues to produce tree fruits. Aside from tourism, agriculture is a major component of the local economy, as is evident by the abundant produce stands along Highways 3 and 97, and the numerous commercial orchards surrounding the town. With the growing popularity of viticulture, some of these orchards are being converted to vineyards, as the area is a major wine-producing region of Canada. After clearing of mainly sagebrush, parcels of bench land have been replanted for viticulture.

The vast majority of the land in the valley bottom surrounding the town is protected by the Agricultural Land Reserve which prevents valuable agricultural lands from being converted into other uses.

File:Osoyoos BC 2008.jpg Tourism in the Osoyoos area has become a large contributor to the local economy.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} This tourism is brought on by the many amenities in the Osoyoos area.

Osoyoos Lake is "the warmest freshwater lake in Canada" according to the town of Osoyoos and the BC Parks System,[http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/swiws/ "Sẁiẁs Provincial Park"]. BC Parks. Retrieved 2015-10-30. with reported average summer water temperatures of 24 °C (75 °F).{{cite web|author=French, Paul |date=June 24, 2009 |url=https://www.thestar.com/article/655324 |title=Osoyoos, Canada's lone desert|publisher=The Toronto Star|work=thestar.com |access-date=2012-10-31 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204064531/http://www.thestar.com/article/655324|archive-date=2013-02-04|url-status=live}} The lake is surrounded by kilometres of beaches (public and private), parks and picnic grounds, such as Gyro Beach, Lions Centennial Park, Kinsmen Park, Legion Beach and Sẁiẁs Provincial Park. There are also major plans to revitalize the waterfront along the town core,{{cite web|url=http://osoyoos.fileprosite.com/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2110 |title=CivicWeb: Waterfront Master Plan |publisher=Osoyoos.fileprosite.com |access-date=2011-07-28}} spurred on by recent major developments such as the Watermark Beach Resort which include increased public space and an expanded marina.

Spotted Lake is a saline endorheic alkali lake located northwest of Osoyoos.

There are two centres dedicated to preserving the ecosystem of the Okanagan Desert. The Osoyoos Desert Centre is located {{cvt|3|km|sigfig=1}} north of Osoyoos off Highway 97,{{cite web|url=http://www.desert.org/ |title=Osoyoos Desert Society |publisher=desert.org |access-date=2011-07-28}} while the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre is located adjacent to the Nk'mip Winery on the Osoyoos Indian Reserve.{{cite web|url=http://www.nkmipdesert.com |title=Nk'mip Desert Cultural Centre |publisher=nkmipdesert.com |access-date=2012-10-31}}

The area is served by four championship golf courses – Osoyoos Golf Club which boasts two distinct eighteen-hole courses, the Park Meadows Golf Course and the Desert Gold Golf Course, Fairview Mountain Golf Club (Oliver) and the Nk'Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course (Oliver) – and one nine-hole course, Sonora Dunes (Osoyoos).

{{Historical populations

| footnote = Sources: Statistics Canada

| 1951 | 899

| 1956 | 860

| 1961 | 1022

| 1966 | 1166

| 1971 | 1285

| 1976 | 2100

| 1981 | 2738

| 1986 | 2956

| 1991 | 3403

| 1996 | 4127

| 2001 | 4295

| 2006 | 4752

| 2011 | 4845

| 2016 | 5085

}}

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Osoyoos had a population of 5,556 living in 2,647 of its 3,279 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:5556-5050}}|5050|1}} from its 2016 population of 5,050. With a land area of {{cvt|8.41|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|5556|8.41|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000259 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=February 20, 2022}}

The town's popularity among retirees is reflected in the age of the average resident at 55.4 years (2016) compared to 40.8 years for the rest of the population of British Columbia. The average age of the Osoyoos senior population is second in Canada only to Qualicum Beach, BC (60.1 years).

The town is served by a high school, Osoyoos Secondary School.

According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Osoyoos included:{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-10-26 |title= Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Osoyoos%20&DGUIDlist=2021A00055907005&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}

• Christianity (2,600 persons or 49.3%)
• Irreligion (2,345 persons or 44.5%)
• Sikhism (225 persons or 4.3%)
• Hinduism (45 persons or 0.9%)
• Buddhism (10 persons or 0.2%)
• Islam (10 persons or 0.2%)
• Other (15 persons or 0.3%)

• Chuck Kobasew – retired professional hockey player
• Jack B. Newton – amateur astronomer
• Alison Smith – television journalist and anchor

• List of francophone communities in British Columbia

{{Reflist}}

{{notelist}}

{{Commons category|Osoyoos}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{Wikivoyage inline}}

{{Subdivisions of British Columbia||town=yes}}

{{Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen}}

{{Okanagan communities}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Populated places in the South Okanagan

Category:Towns in British Columbia

Category:Populated places in the Boundary Country

Category:British Columbia populated places on the Okanogan River

Category:Populated places in the Okanagan Country