Water sports in the Kootenays are enjoyed on many of the lakes and man-made reservoirs located in the region. Sports like water skiing, tubing, wake boarding, scuba diving and swimming - all are enjoyed in the Kootenay region during the summer months.
The natural lakes in the region are located in high alpine wilderness valleys and sometimes, at lower levels, on the edge of a community. The larger elongated man-made reservoir lakes are the result of BC Hydro dams positioned on some of region's mightiest rivers. Big rivers are now bigger lakes serviced by river ferries. Man-made lakes became the waterfronts to some of the communities in the Kootenays.
Many natural lakes and all man-made reservoirs are accessed by gravel roads and paved roads. Some harder to reach than others. Bigger lakes and reservoirs permit larger boats with gas motors. Bigger lakes and reservoir lakes in the Kootenays are popular for water skiing, scuba diving, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and tubing from behind a boat. Many large lakes provide access to water skiers via a paved or gravel boat launch which are near a sandy beach, sometimes in a park and/or campground.
Some smaller lakes permit electric motors while some permit no motors at all. Most smaller lakes have a gravel roof top boat launch. These lakes are sometimes remote, and often private and serene. But not all. Some are near communities. Smaller lakes tend to be located at the end of a gravel access road in the wilderness backcountry between communities. These smaller lakes are best for swimming, suntanning, canoeing, kayaking and camping.
