Kootenay National Park of Canada Spring 2005

Location Kootenay Kootenay is Canada's 10th national park. Vegetation National Park of Canada It was established in 1920. Located in southeastern British Columbia on the Three distinct vegetation zones exist in this Alberta border, Kootenay is part of the mountainous region, largely because of the world-famous Rocky Mountains with all inherent changes in elevation. The montane Climate their rugged splendour and scenic beauty. zone is the lowest of the three, and is 2 characterized by grassy meadows, and Dramatic variations in Kootenay's climate are The 1 406 km park is about 800 km east of Douglas fir, white spruce, trembling aspen, caused by a combination of elevation, Vancouver, and is one of the five national and lodgepole pine. The subalpine zone of rainshadow effects, and latitude. Generally, parks (also includes Yoho, Banff, Jasper, the slopes supports a largely closed winters are long and summers cool and short, and Waterton Lakes), that represents the coniferous forest of Engelmann spruce, with only occasional hot spells. Average Rocky Mountains Natural Region. o Kootenay is located in the Montane subalpine fir, and lodgepole pine. Some open January highs are -7 C, while July averages to o Cordillera Ecozone. meadowland can also be found in upper 22 C. These temperatures apply to valley subalpine regions. During summer, these bottoms. At higher elevations temperatures oo meadows are covered with a thick carpet of are about 5 C to 7 C cooler. Annual wildflowers. The highest of the three zones, Activities precipitation ranges from less than 380 mm at the alpine region, cannot support trees. lower elevations to over 1 250 mm at higher Vegetation is sparse, with some alpine elevations. Visitors to Kootenay can enjoy a multitude meadows, and as one goes higher up still, one of activities, including camping at one of enters the exclusive domain of hardy lichens three campgrounds, hiking or skiing along Banff that cling to the bare rock. trails, canoeing on the Kootenay River National Geology Park (experienced paddlers only!), and taking scenic drives. The park offers excellent The Western and Main Ranges of the Rocky fishing, mountain climbing, cycling, V e rm A lb Wildlife picnicking, canoeing, cross-country il Mountains are found in Kootenay. They are io e B rt n .C a composed of thick layers of limestone, . skiing, and snowshoeing. Taking a dip in R i v Kootenay, like all of the Rocky Mountain the hot springs is also popular. A full range e sandstone, and shale. It is believed that the R r Rockies have seen at least four ice ages. O parks, is famous for its wildlife. Some 57 of accommodations is offered at the site. C Significant geologic features include the mammal species are found here, including K r

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iv moose, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, N Y Simpso R famous Radium Hot Springs, faults, canyons, n karst formations, and the fossils of the M white-tailed deer, mule deer, cougars, black O bears, wolves, and a secretive population of Stephen Formation. For protecting a part of U N grizzly bears. More than 280 species of birds, For more information, contact: one of the earth's geologic and scenic T treasures, Kootenay (along with Jasper, Yoho, A including golden and bald eagles, have been The Superintendent I identified. The park's major watersheds Kootenay National Park and Banff National Parks and Mount Robson, C N o l S Box 220 u contain rainbow trout, brook trout, lake trout, K Hamber and Mount Assiniboine Provincial m o o b te Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia n northern pike, and whitefish. Reptiles and i a Parks) was declared a UNESCO World a y V0A 1M0 amphibians are scarce because of the severe Telephone: (250)347-9615 Heritage Site in 1985 on the 100th anniversary R iv R e r climate. Only one species of toad, three frogs, i Fax: (250)347-9980 of Canada's national parks system. v e r one salamander, and three types of snakes Website: www.pc.gc.ca/kootenay Glacier/Icefield have been recorded. Radium Hot 0 12 188 m Springs © Parks Canada Kootenay National Park of Canada Spring 2005

Location Kootenay Kootenay is Canada's 10th national park. Vegetation National Park of Canada It was established in 1920. Located in southeastern British Columbia on the Three distinct vegetation zones exist in this Alberta border, Kootenay is part of the mountainous region, largely because of the world-famous Rocky Mountains with all inherent changes in elevation. The montane Climate their rugged splendour and scenic beauty. zone is the lowest of the three, and is 2 characterized by grassy meadows, and Dramatic variations in Kootenay's climate are The 1 406 km park is about 800 km east of Douglas fir, white spruce, trembling aspen, caused by a combination of elevation, Vancouver, and is one of the five national and lodgepole pine. The subalpine zone of rainshadow effects, and latitude. Generally, parks (also includes Yoho, Banff, Jasper, the slopes supports a largely closed winters are long and summers cool and short, and Waterton Lakes), that represents the coniferous forest of Engelmann spruce, with only occasional hot spells. Average Rocky Mountains Natural Region. o Kootenay is located in the Montane subalpine fir, and lodgepole pine. Some open January highs are -7 C, while July averages to o Cordillera Ecozone. meadowland can also be found in upper 22 C. These temperatures apply to valley subalpine regions. During summer, these bottoms. At higher elevations temperatures oo meadows are covered with a thick carpet of are about 5 C to 7 C cooler. Annual wildflowers. The highest of the three zones, Activities precipitation ranges from less than 380 mm at the alpine region, cannot support trees. lower elevations to over 1 250 mm at higher Vegetation is sparse, with some alpine elevations. Visitors to Kootenay can enjoy a multitude meadows, and as one goes higher up still, one of activities, including camping at one of enters the exclusive domain of hardy lichens three campgrounds, hiking or skiing along Banff that cling to the bare rock. trails, canoeing on the Kootenay River National Geology Park (experienced paddlers only!), and taking scenic drives. The park offers excellent The Western and Main Ranges of the Rocky fishing, mountain climbing, cycling, V e rm A lb Wildlife picnicking, canoeing, cross-country il Mountains are found in Kootenay. They are io e B rt n .C a composed of thick layers of limestone, . skiing, and snowshoeing. Taking a dip in R i v Kootenay, like all of the Rocky Mountain the hot springs is also popular. A full range e sandstone, and shale. It is believed that the R r Rockies have seen at least four ice ages. O parks, is famous for its wildlife. Some 57 of accommodations is offered at the site. C Significant geologic features include the mammal species are found here, including K r e iv moose, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, N Y Simpso R famous Radium Hot Springs, faults, canyons, n karst formations, and the fossils of the M white-tailed deer, mule deer, cougars, black O bears, wolves, and a secretive population of Stephen Formation. For protecting a part of U N grizzly bears. More than 280 species of birds, For more information, contact: one of the earth's geologic and scenic T treasures, Kootenay (along with Jasper, Yoho, A including golden and bald eagles, have been The Superintendent I identified. The park's major watersheds Kootenay National Park and Banff National Parks and Mount Robson, C N o l S Box 220 u contain rainbow trout, brook trout, lake trout, K Hamber and Mount Assiniboine Provincial m o o b te Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia n northern pike, and whitefish. Reptiles and i a Parks) was declared a UNESCO World a y V0A 1M0 amphibians are scarce because of the severe Telephone: (250)347-9615 Heritage Site in 1985 on the 100th anniversary R iv R e r climate. Only one species of toad, three frogs, i Fax: (250)347-9980 of Canada's national parks system. v e r one salamander, and three types of snakes Website: www.pc.gc.ca/kootenay Glacier/Icefield have been recorded. Radium Hot 0 12 188 m Springs © Parks Canada