Mission Creek Facts
Mission Creek provides about one quarter
of all the water entering Okanagan Lake each year.
The creek starts at Mission Lake in the Greystoke Mountain range some 43
kilometres east of Kelowna. Mission Lake is at the 6,100 foot elevation.
Many spectacular geological features exist on the creek, including Layer
Cake Mountain, Pinnacle Rock, and Hoodoos.
History
The creek was
a major source of fish for the Okanagan First Nations people. They also made
use of the various plant materials found along the creek for food, building
materials, and medicines.
European history in the area has also been closely tied to Mission Creek,
from the1859 building of Father Pandosy's mission where the first fruit trees
in the Valley were planted to early 20th century irrigation works remains
of which can still be found. The first settlers built along the creek which
was an important transportation route. The waters provided power for a grist
mill and gold was found along its banks in the 1800's.
Mission Creek has been very significant in the economic development of the
area. It has a long historyof use for irrigation and domestic water, resulting
in its being highly regulated and managed within the City's boundaries.
The creek was once the site of active placer gold mining activity. Placer
gold pits that yielded 2 or 3 ounces per man per day can be seen along the
trail.
BC Heritage River
In 1997 Mission Creek was granted "BC Heritage River" status by the BC Heritage
Rivers Board.
In awarding this status the Board said:
"The
current major effort to restore and manage the natural qualities of the waterway
through a model process of stewardship within an urban environment is
particularly significant."
"an exceptional
opportunity to educate people on the importance of habitat quality and
sustainability."
