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Keremeos

Coordinates: 49°12′9″N 119°49′46″W / 49.20250°N 119.82944°W / 49.20250; -119.82944
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Keremeos
K Town[1]
The Corporation of the Village of Keremeos[2]
Village of Keremeos
Village of Keremeos
Motto(s): 
Healthy Living, Naturally
Keremeos is located in British Columbia
Keremeos
Keremeos
Location of Keremeos in British Columbia
Coordinates: 49°12′9″N 119°49′46″W / 49.20250°N 119.82944°W / 49.20250; -119.82944
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
RegionSimilkameen Country
Regional districtOkanagan-Similkameen
Incorporated1956
Founded1909
Government
 • Governing bodyVillage Council
 • MayorJason Wiebe
Area
 • Total2.09 km2 (0.81 sq mi)
Elevation
365 m (1,198 ft)
Population
 (2016)
 • Total1,502
 • Density717.5/km2 (1,858/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
Postal code
V0X 1N0
Area code250 / 778 / 236
Highways Highway 3
Highway 3A
WaterwaysSimilkameen River
Websitewww.keremeos.ca Edit this at Wikidata

Keremeos (/kɛrəˈməs/) is a village in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada.[3] The name originated from the Similkameen dialect of the Okanagan language word "Keremeyeus" meaning "creek which cuts its way through the flats" referring to Keremeos Creek which flows down from the Upper Benchlands to the Similkameen River that flows past the village.[4]

History

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With K Mountain as a backdrop, Keremeos is a community whose "Wild West" looks date back to 1909 when the postmaster of the now-abandoned community of Upper Keremeos, Mr. George Kirby, purchased land alongside the Similkameen River in anticipation of the V.V. & E. Railway passing through the area.[5] Eventually the Great Northern Railway from the US built a branch line up to Hedley and other businesses soon followed. Keremeos was incorporated in 1956.

Geography

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The geography of the Keremeos area ranges from cottonwood groves along the river, to dense orchards and farms, to desert-like landscapes along the bases of the surrounding mountains, up to alpine peaks and plateaux on top.[citation needed]

Demographics

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In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Keremeos had a population of 1,608 living in 809 of its 852 total private dwellings, a change of 7.1% from its 2016 population of 1,502. With a land area of 2.09 km2 (0.81 sq mi), it had a population density of 769.4/km2 (1,992.7/sq mi) in 2021.[6]

Religion

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According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Keremeos included:[7]

Economy

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Keremeos' main industries are horticulture, agriculture, ranching, and wine making, among others. Fruit stands[8] are also a major component of the local economy, making it the self-titled "fruit stand capital of Canada." All sorts of soft fruits, apples, cherries, peaches and vegetables are grown in the South Similkameen's dry warm climate, and vineyards and wineries are quickly being added as the valley's wine-growing potential is being recognized.[citation needed]

Attractions

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Attractions include the Keremeos Grist Mill.

Climate

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Keremeos has a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with cool but short winters and hot, dry summers. Precipitation is low at 323 millimetres (13 in) and evenly distributed throughout the year.

Climate data for Keremeos
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13.0
(55.4)
16.5
(61.7)
26.0
(78.8)
31.0
(87.8)
36.5
(97.7)
38.0
(100.4)
39.5
(103.1)
37.5
(99.5)
36.0
(96.8)
28.5
(83.3)
18.0
(64.4)
13.0
(55.4)
39.5
(103.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 1.1
(34.0)
5.3
(41.5)
12.0
(53.6)
17.0
(62.6)
21.2
(70.2)
24.8
(76.6)
28.2
(82.8)
28.6
(83.5)
23.7
(74.7)
15.2
(59.4)
6.1
(43.0)
0.2
(32.4)
15.3
(59.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.0
(28.4)
1.0
(33.8)
6.1
(43.0)
10.3
(50.5)
14.4
(57.9)
18.0
(64.4)
20.9
(69.6)
20.9
(69.6)
16.2
(61.2)
9.3
(48.7)
2.5
(36.5)
−2.8
(27.0)
9.6
(49.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −5.1
(22.8)
−3.4
(25.9)
0.2
(32.4)
3.5
(38.3)
7.5
(45.5)
11.1
(52.0)
13.5
(56.3)
13.1
(55.6)
8.6
(47.5)
3.4
(38.1)
−1.2
(29.8)
−5.7
(21.7)
3.8
(38.8)
Record low °C (°F) −25.0
(−13.0)
−22.0
(−7.6)
−14.5
(5.9)
−4.5
(23.9)
−2.0
(28.4)
2.0
(35.6)
5.0
(41.0)
4.0
(39.2)
−2.5
(27.5)
−14.0
(6.8)
−24.5
(−12.1)
−26.0
(−14.8)
−26.0
(−14.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 31.8
(1.25)
22.8
(0.90)
19.5
(0.77)
21.8
(0.86)
33.8
(1.33)
39.5
(1.56)
29.7
(1.17)
24.8
(0.98)
14.6
(0.57)
19.0
(0.75)
31.8
(1.25)
36.5
(1.44)
325.4
(12.81)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 10.5
(0.41)
13.0
(0.51)
18.2
(0.72)
21.8
(0.86)
33.8
(1.33)
39.5
(1.56)
29.7
(1.17)
24.8
(0.98)
14.6
(0.57)
18.6
(0.73)
22.5
(0.89)
9.6
(0.38)
256.6
(10.10)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 21.3
(8.4)
9.8
(3.9)
1.3
(0.5)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.3
(0.1)
9.3
(3.7)
26.9
(10.6)
68.9
(27.1)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 9.3 8.5 8.8 8.6 10.3 10.5 8.3 7.3 5.7 7.7 11.1 10.8 106.7
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 4.5 6.2 8.3 8.6 10.3 10.5 8.3 7.3 5.7 7.6 9.2 3.9 90.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 5.2 2.5 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 2.6 7.6 18.9
Source: Environment Canada[9]

Infrastructure

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Transportation

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Keremeos is served by public transit in the South Okanagan-Similkameen Transit System along Route 50 thrice weekly year round. Buses go as far as Coalmont, British Columbia to the west and Penticton in the East, with connections on BC Transit to Kelowna and Osoyoos. The thrice-weekly public transit service is the only intercity transportation available to residents after Greyhound terminated their services along the Hope, British Columbia-Penticton corridor on June 1, 2019.[10] The nearest airport with scheduled flights is the Penticton Regional Airport 41 km to the north. The nearest major airport with international flights is Kelowna International Airport. Keremeos historically had a train station, though no tracks remain in the Similkameen Valley with either the Great Northern Railway or the Kettle Valley Railway.

Education

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Schools in Keremeos' vicinity include Cawston primary school, Penticton Secondary School, Princess Margaret Secondary School, Osoyoos, Princeton, and Similkameen Elementary Secondary School.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ New Findings Fill in ‘Missing Link’ in Similkameen Prehistory, Langara Archaeology Summer Field School 2003 Archived May 16, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "British Columbia Regional Districts, Municipalities, Corporate Name, Date of Incorporation and Postal Address" (XLS). British Columbia Ministry of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  3. ^ "Keremeos". BC Geographical Names.
  4. ^ "Keremeos Creek". BC Geographical Names.
  5. ^ During the construction of the VV&E (a GN subsidiary) there was a fierce competition with the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) (a CPR subsidiary) and James Hill called a truce during the construction phase through the Coquihalla Valley. http://www.canada-rail.com/quebec/railways/GN.html
  6. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  7. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 26, 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  8. ^ https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152075689198792.1073741857.582338791&type=1&l=3da87e76d4 Photo album on Facebook of fruitstands [user-generated source]
  9. ^ "Calculation Information for 1981 to 2010 Canadian Normals Data". Environment Canada. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  10. ^ "Greyhound bus service to Osoyoos will continue, but will be eliminated in many small towns". Osoyoos Times. February 27, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
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