Exercise #1: Local Environmental History

I live in the Westsyde neighborhood of Kamloops, BC. It is surrounded by the North Thompson River, Deep Lake, and the Lac Du Bois Grasslands protected area. My neighborhood is one of the outlying areas of Kamloops, stretching north, and ending with a small, two vehicle, cable-driven, river ferry crossing. Although the original ferry was established in 1890 by local farmers, the government took control in 1919, and modernized it to a version of what we see and use today. (https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/local-news/mclure-ferry-celebrates-100th-year-of-government-service-4440246). Over the past two years, a new road has been developed in westsyde, joining the end of my street to another neighborhood known as Batchelor Heights. This road has allowed the two communities to begin merging, as well as creating improved traffic flow and neighborhood safety in the event of an emergency.

Kamloops, BC has a rich and interesting history beginning with the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nations tribes that have inhabited these lands for as long as we know. In 1811 the fur trade brought many European settlers to the area, and the gold rush of the 1850’s increased the population and diversity of the area significantly (https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/kamloops). This seems to be the time when ranching and farming gained popularity in the community, and with the development of the Canadian Pacific Railway from the 1860’s to its completion on Nov.7, 1885, Kamloops began to establish itself as a junction point in BC. In 1893 Kamloops officially incorporated itself as a city with a population of approximately one thousand citizens (https://www.kamloops.ca/our-community/about-kamloops/history-kamloops).  In the 1960’s forestry and mining became commonplace, and in 1962, the Highland Valley Copper mine was opened, creating a plethora of new jobs for the area. According to Wikipedia, “The Highland Valley Copper mine is the largest open-pit copper mine in Canada”, and is located just outside of Kamloops, in Logan Lake, BC.

In 1965, a new pulp and paper mill was established in the centre of Kamloops creating an influx of jobs and boosting the local economy (https://www.domtar.com/sites/default/files/2021-04/Kamloops%20Mill%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf). In 1967, Kamloops, and the outlying development known as North Kamloops, joined together. According to The City of Kamloops website, “Following the amalgamation of Kamloops and the Town of North Kamloops in 1967, the 1970s saw an expanded city that included a number of adjacent communities, including Dallas, Valleyview, Brocklehurst, Westsyde, Heffley Creek, Rayleigh, Knutsford, and Dufferin.” 1970 also brought the development and creation of the Cariboo College, now known as Thompson Rivers University.

Kamloops is considered a desert climate, surrounded by large mountain ranges, and embracing rolling hillsides, dramatic valleys, stunning lakes, and plenty of sagebrush and tumbleweeds. According to Wikipedia, “”Kamloops” is the anglicized version of the Shuswap word “Tk’əmlúps”, meaning “meeting of the waters”. It sits, settled between mountains, spread across the land surrounding both the North and South Thompson rivers. It includes diverse ecological landscapes, protected grasslands, fossils, hoodoos and mountainsides eroded thousands of years ago by glaciers (https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/local-news/dig-it-after-the-ice-age-the-first-peoples-in-the-kamloops-area-4370851). Kamloops has maintained its reputation as a centralized junction point in BC, and houses the intersection of three major highways, Hwy 1, Hwy 3, and Hwy 97.

As Kamloops began developing its reputation as The Tournament Capital of Canada, the city began focusing on economic growth through tourism opportunities. The city currently prides itself on its proximity to world class skiing at Sun Peaks resort, as well as Harper Mountain. Hiking trails are abundant both through the city and the surrounding areas. Mountain Biking and BMX are widely popular, as well as a variety of water sports, and fishing on any one of the plentiful lakes in the area. Golf, horseback riding and mountain climbing are also favorite outdoor activities.

Due to its unique climate and location, Kamloops showcases a wide variety of wildlife. From Bighorn sheep to river otters, and bears, elk, deer, cougars, and wolves. Not to mention a variety of birds including eagles, owls, falcons, and osprey. In addition, Kamloops boasts an impressive array of wild reptiles including snakes, frogs, lizards, and turtles. The ecological diversity of the area is inspiring. The vegetation zones in Kamloops vary from zone 3 at the higher peaks to zone 6 in the lower valleys (https://www.purityfeed.ca/blog/Hardiness-Zones-in-Kamloops.htm). This allows growers to embrace a variety of flowering plants, vegetables, fruits, and trees.

The city of Kamloops utilizes a massive water treatment centre to maintain a usable water supply. “The city draws its water from the South Thompson River, the earliest municipal water supply system beginning in 1895 with a series of wooden pipes and street taps. In 1919, the first pumping station was constructed on the River Street site, which was subsequently replaced in 1972 and further upgraded nine years later.” (https://www.water-technology.net/projects/kamloops/). In 2005, a new plant was opened, using membrane filtration systems. Boosting plants are strategically located throughout the city’s rolling hills and mountainsides to ensure adequate pressure levels for the entire city. Although the city has upgraded usable water treatment facilities, sewage treatment continues to be processed in lagoons, albeit with advanced biological nutrient removal (https://www.canadianconsultingengineer.com/features/teaching-an-old-dog-new-tricks-kamloops-wastewater-treatment-plant-upgrade/). Many outlying neighborhoods in Kamloops still use septic tanks for sewage and well water with personal filtration systems for drinking and household use.

In my opinion, Kamloops is a culturally rich and diverse community, full of adventure and exploration. Steeped in natural history, architectural preservation and environmental variation, there is always something new (or old) to discover. I feel blessed to call Kamloops my home.

https://www.tourismkamloops.com/plan/aboutkamloops/

https://www.facebook.com/kamloopshistory/photos/pcb.2581487755399946/2581476512067737/?type=3&theater

https://britishcolumbia.com/plan-your-trip/maps-of-bc/kamloops/

http://www.kamloopspropertyforsale.com/about-kamloops-bc.php