Grey Canal trail in Vernon set to expand on Coldstream Ranch land

The North Okanagan regional district has just acquired land which will contribute to maintaining Greater Vernon’s status as the Trails Capital of BC.

The land acquired is a 4.2 kilometre section of the former Grey Canal irrigation flume from Coldstream Ranch, which will allow for a future recreational trail, according to a regional district news release issued today, Jan. 2. 

The acquisition process was a result of collaboration between the regional district and the Coldstream Ranch. The ranch will continue to have access through the property to adjacent rangelands for cattle grazing.

The regional district doesn't say if there was a cost to taxpayers for use of the land.

The land acquisition comes as the construction of two key trail projects comes to an end. 

The construction on the 900-metre connecting trail between Turtle Mountain and Bella Vista representing a key link for the portion of the Grey Canal was recently finished. As well, the 1.3 km section of the Crystal Waters Trail, which connects Bailey Road to Kekuli Provincial Park and the Okanagan Rail Trail.

These projects are part of the Greater Vernon Trails and Natural Spaces Master Plan which was adopted in 2022.

“Investments in tourism infrastructure projects like the Grey Canal and Kal/Crystal Waters Trails are good for visitors, good for communities and good for the economy,” Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, said in the release. “The tourism investments we’ve made in regions throughout the province are linking communities together and creating a more vibrant British Columbia for everyone.”

The Grey Canal is a former irrigation waterway which sustained farmland in Greater Vernon from about 1906 to 1970. It once spanned 50 km between Lavington and Okanagan Lake supplying water to the largest irrigation district in the province.

The acquired land will allow the regional district to protect sensitive ecosystems and cultural features on top of connecting communities although not yet available to the public.

"We are thrilled to have acquired another section of the historic Grey Canal to ensure its protection for generations to come," Greater Vernon Advisory Committee chair Bob Fleming said in the release.

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