In the past, the Okanagan River included a meandering, multi-thread channel and wide, marshy floodplains that captured sediment and cleaned the water. With the channelization of the river, these areas were bypassed and drained, and vertical drop structures were installed to dissipate energy within the straight, confined channel. As a result, water quality downstream declined, habitat was destroyed and the river and it’s floodplain could no longer function to support indigenous species. Two recent restoration projects have been recently completed in efforts to bring the habitat and wildlife back: 1) riffle and habitat creation within the river, and 2) part of the floodplain within the Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area has been restored. Osoyoos Indian Band and Okanagan Nation Alliance will lead you on a tour of these two projects, explaining the history of the sites, their importance, intended outcomes of restoration, and what is planned for the river in the near future.

This is an easygoing walk on a flat, loose gravel pathway.