British Columbia

Search for B.C.'s best lake: Final 4

A famed fishing and camping spot. A postcard image only accessible through a punishing hike. A turquoise-bathed playground of the Okanagan. And the epicentre of houseboating in the province. 

It's Shuswap vs. Kalamalka and Sproat vs. Garibaldi to determine the championship match

Clockwise from top right: Kalamalka, Sproat, Garibaldi and Shuswap are four iconic lakes, but only two will compete for the title of B.C.'s best.
Clockwise from top right: Kalamalka, Sproat, Garibaldi and Shuswap are four iconic lakes, but only two will compete for the title of B.C.'s best. (Composite)

A famed fishing and camping spot. A postcard image only accessible through a punishing hike. A turquoise-bathed playground of the Okanagan. And the epicentre of houseboating in the province. 

The final four contenders in the Search for B.C.'s Best Lake each have unique claims to fame — but one thing that unites them is getting tens of thousands of votes over the past week to get to this stage of this competition.

But only one of Garibaldi and Sproat can be the champion from the Southwest B.C. side of the bracket. And only one of Kalamalka and Shuswap can do the same for the Interior. 

And it's up to you to decide which two make the final.

Here's how we got here — along with some final pieces of information to help you make your vote.

(Voting is open until 10 p.m PT. If your vote is unable to go through on this page, click on the link below each ballot)

Southwest B.C. Lake Final
(CBC News)

Garibaldi

  • Nearest community: Whistler.   
  • Elevation: 1,484 metres above sea level.
  • Maximum depth: 258 metres. 
  • Road to the final four: defeated Harrison Lake 51.2-49.8%, Upper Joffre Lake 57-43% and Alouette Lake 57-43%.

Sproat

  • Nearest community: Port Alberni.
  • Elevation: 34 metres above sea level.
  • Maximum depth: 195 metres.
  • Road to the final four: defeated Thetis Lake 60-40%, Comox 64-36% and Cowichan Lake 55-45%.
Description of Garibaldi vs. Sproat Lake
(CBC News)

(Click here to vote)

Interior Bracket final
(CBC News)

Kalamalka

  • Nearest community: Coldstream/Vernon.
  • Elevation: 392 metres above sea level.
  • Maximum depth: 142 metres.
  • Road to the final four: defeated Mabel Lake 75-25%, Murtle Lake 67-33% and Okanagan Lake 58-42%.

Shuswap

  • Nearest community: Salmon Arm/Sicamous/several other smaller towns.
  • Elevation: 347 metres above sea level.
  • Maximum depth: 171 metres.
  • Road to the final four: defeated Lakelse Lake 83-17%, Christina Lake 54-46% and Emerald Lake 60-40%.
Description of Kalamalka vs. Shuswap
(CBC News)

(Click here to vote)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Justin McElroy

@j_mcelroy

Justin is the Municipal Affairs Reporter for CBC Vancouver, covering local political stories throughout British Columbia.