The Gorge
The Gorge is a very historical inland sea where past generations of
Victorians would spend summer days swimming, sunbathing, canoeing,
rowing and generally lazing around.
Swiming In the Gorge
In the past, the houses of the wealthy lined the Gorge and some remain
today, although most are gone. Point Ellice House, the home of
the O'Reilly family is still served via water today. Visitors can be
dropped at the dock just as happened a century ago.
The reversing falls was a tidal phenomenon located at the narrowest
point in the Gorge Waterway. During certain tides large volumes of
water attempt to flow through a narrow, shallow opening, creating a
"reversing falls" with a current of up to 6 knots (11 kilometers per
hour/6.5 miles per hour) and up to 5.75 feet (1.75 meters) difference
in the water level on either side. The rocks that caused the tidal
phenomen were removed in the 20th century.
The Gorge swimming area once had diving towers and was the site of several competitions.
Recreational boating such as kayaking, canoeing and rowing is practiced
in the Gorge, with rowing limited to the lower portion. Many of the
historical industrial sites in the Selkirk Water of the lower Gorge
have been replaced with residential housing, except for a scrap metal
recycling operation. The Selkirk train trestle has been converted to a
pedestrian and cycle bridge that forms part of the highly used
Galloping Goose multi-use trail.
The
Selkirk waterfront is located at the north end of the trestle and was
once a working sawmill, one of many along this body of water. Today is
is home to the Victoria Rowing Club as well as a newly-developed
residential areas with office buildings, restaurants, businesses and a
school.
This Hallmark Society project has been funded by the HBC Foundation and the BC150-Heritage Legacy Fund.
Project manager and researcher: Helen Edwards.
Principal Photography & Consultant:
Ron Bukta, West Ventures Photography.