Coldstream, a district municipality in British Columbia, Canada, is a gem nestled at the northern end of Kalamalka Lake in the Okanagan Valley. Incorporated on December 21, 1906, Coldstream celebrated its centennial in 2006. The municipality is directly southeast of Vernon and is considered part of Greater Vernon. It is a member municipality of, and also the location of the head offices, of the Regional District of North Okanagan.
Coldstream is renowned for the Coldstream Ranch, established in 1863 by Captain Charles Frederick Houghton. The ranch was later transferred to Forbes G. and Charles Albert Vernon, who in 1891 sold it to The 7th Earl of Aberdeen, future Governor General of Canada (1893–1898). The ranch was purchased by its current owners in 1994 and continues to be a working cattle ranch, adding a touch of rustic charm to Coldstream, British Columbia.
In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Coldstream had a population of 11,171 living in 4,100 of its 4,341 total private dwellings. This was a change of 4.9% from its 2016 population of 10,648. With a land area of 66.57 km2 (25.70 sq mi), it had a population density of 167.8/km2 (434.6/sq mi) in 2021.
Coldstream boasts a dry – almost semi-arid climate – with hot sunny summers and cool cloudy winters. The driest year on record was 1952 with 242 mm (10 in) of rainfall, while the wettest year was 1996 with 633 mm (25 in). The warmest year was 1987 with an average temperature of 9.2 °C (49 °F), and the coldest year was 1916 with an average temperature of 5.0 °C (41 °F).
Coldstream is home to Kal Beach, located on the shore of Kalamalka Lake. Other smaller beaches in the area include Kirkland Beach, Juniper Beach, Tamarack Beach, Long Lake Beach, Jade Bay Beach, Cosens Beach, Pebble Beach, and Cliff Beach. Coldstream also borders on Kalamalka Provincial Park, which features numerous groomed hiking trails, scenic views, and natural areas. Wildlife in the park includes black bear, whitetailed deer, rattlesnake, marmot, and other creatures. The Silver Star Mountain Resort, 29 km (18 mi) northeast of Coldstream, offers various options for winter sports, making Coldstream, British Columbia a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
