iN PHOTOS: Cold snap freezes waterfall, creates ice art in Kamloops, Okanagan

Temperatures in Kamloops and the Okanagan dipped far below zero this February and some residents took advantage by photographing frozen waterfalls and interesting ice formations.

A Kamloops photographer captured millions of frozen air bubbles in Kamloops Lake, while a South Okanagan photographer snapped a photo of frozen Penticton dam, and others found frozen waterfalls. 

Waterfalls freeze when the temperatures are cold enough for a long enough time, and the process begins when the water supplying the falls cools below freezing point without becoming a solid, which causes the flow to slow down.

Water molecules start sticking together to make particles of frazil ice, which are crystals shaped like needles that attach to rocks and overhangs around the falls, according to ScienceABC.com.

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The Bonaparte River in Ashcroft is pictured frozen over. iNFOnews.ca/ Loeki Vanderwal

If the temperature stays cold for long enough, the frazil ice can form an anchor where the water is dropping and grow downwards to create a column of ice, freezing the falls.

If you have photos of frozen waterfalls, lakes or streams in your neighbourhood, send them to news@infonews.ca.

Frozen Spahats Creek Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park has blue hues. iNFOnews.ca/ Chance Breckenridge

Air bubbles in Kamloops Lake are frozen in place during a deep freeze. iNFOnews.ca/ Kevin Haggkvist

Water flowing down rocks in Westwold is frozen with colourful hues. iNFOnews.ca/ Taylor Borth

Margaret Falls in Salmon Arm is frozen still in cold winter temperatures. iNFOnews.ca/ Beth Anderson