Kalamalka Lake is about 16 km long and up to 142 m deep. Its famous colours come from calcium carbonate (marl) in the water. Most of the lakeshore is in the District of Coldstream, with a slice at the north end in the City of Vernon and the south end in Lake Country (Oyama).
Kalamalka waterfront neighbourhoods
| Neighbourhood | Where | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Kal Beach and Kalamalka Road | North end, Coldstream / Vernon edge | Most walkable Kal waterfront; beach cottages, rebuilds, townhomes |
| Kalavista, Kinloch and Coldstream Creek Road | North-east shore, Coldstream | Prestige estate lakeshore |
| Cosens Bay Road | East shore, next to Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park | Secluded acreage and lakeshore homes |
| Westkal Road | North-west shore, Coldstream | Narrow lakeshore road, homes and duplexes |
| Oyama | South end (Lake Country) | Isthmus between Kalamalka and Wood lakes |
Public beaches and launches
- Kal Beach, 13836 Kalamalka Road (City of Vernon)
- Kalavista Boat Launch, 8484 Kalavista Drive, Coldstream (motorised; open April 1 to October 31; paid parking)
- Kinloch Boat Launch, 12908 Kinloch Drive, Coldstream
- Westkal non-motorised launch, Westkal Road (drop-off only)
- Kekuli Bay Provincial Park, off Highway 97: campground and launch
- Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park: Jade, Juniper and Cosens bays, reached by trail
Rules that are unique to Kal
- Speed limit near shore: boats are limited to 8 km/h within 75 m of shore along a stretch of the Coldstream shoreline (roughly Kinloch Drive to Westkal Road).
- No-boat swim areas at Kal Beach, Kirkland Beach, Pumphouse Beach, Kalavista Beach, Tamarack Park Beach and Kaloya Regional Park Beach (Oyama).
- Drinking-water source: Greater Vernon Water draws from Kalamalka Lake through the Mission Hill treatment plant, so shoreline work and septic systems get extra scrutiny.
- Coldstream dock rules: one private dock per fee-simple waterfront lot (one slip per unit on strata waterfront), no roofs or hot tubs, and a District development permit is needed for fill, retaining walls or shoreline changes near the lake. See the dock guide.
- Flood construction level: Coldstream's and the Regional District's bylaws set 393.2 m (CGVD28 datum) for land next to Kalamalka Lake. Newer regional mapping points to higher design flood levels, so confirm the current level for the parcel. The 2017 peak was 392.45 m (CGVD28).
- No short-term rentals in Coldstream, except bed and breakfasts in specially zoned properties. See the short-term rental guide.
See Kalamalka Lake waterfront for saleLive MLS® listings on realestatevernon.ca, updated daily
Frequently asked questions
Can you have a motorboat on Kalamalka Lake?
Yes. There is no lake-wide motor ban, but there is an 8 km/h limit within 75 m of shore along part of the Coldstream shoreline, and several swim areas are closed to all boats.
Can I Airbnb a Kalamalka Lake home in Coldstream?
Generally no. Coldstream prohibits short-term rentals except bed and breakfasts in properties zoned for them, run by the owner in their principal residence.
Is Kalamalka Lake water safe to drink from a private intake?
Kalamalka is a municipal drinking-water source, but Interior Health advises that any private surface-water intake should be disinfected and tested. The owner is responsible for their own water quality.
Sources: District of Coldstream boat launches, Coldstream Zoning Bylaw 1838, Transport Canada VORR schedules, Greater Vernon Water, Coldstream short-term rentals, BC Parks.