Don Weixl Photography

Shorts Creek begins its journey west of Terrace Mountain. It winds through the hills, bubbles under Westside Road and flows calmly under the bridge at the park entrance. Between these two roads, it makes a wildly exuberant dash down to the delta, leaping out into space at three separate points. The first cataract is fairly sedate, the second is more enthusiastic and the third, closest to the delta, is spectacular.

BC Parks has made it easy for waterfall-watchers. A sturdy staircase leads up to the largest cascade, then the steps parallel the gorge up to the middle falls. You can safely enjoy watching tumbling water in one direction and beautiful Okanagan Lake in another. (There are lots of landings along the 400-step climb, so you can catch your breath as you appreciate the scenery.)

These falls were Dun-Water’s greatest ally when he was moulding the isolated, undeveloped delta into an estate. He captured the creek’s power in a system of wood stave, wire wrapped pipes so ingenious that European engineers, said was “absolutely impossible” even when they were looking at it. The harnessed water allowed the Laird to have spray irrigation for orchards and gardens plus running water in houses and barns while neighbors relied on pails and pumps. He also used this “hydro” power to grind grain and run a respectably sized sawmill. By tying a Pelton wheel into the system he generated electricity. He even had his own telephone network linking the main buildings.

The Laird wasn’t born “Dun-Waters”. He took that name when he inherited his great uncle Dunn’s fortune. He had actually been born James C. “Waters”. It’s rather ironic that water was so important in helping him turn Fintry into a garden of Eden.

Friends of Fintry
PROVINCIAL PARK SOCIETY

7655 Fintry Delta Rd. Kelowna, BC V1Z 3B2

Phone: (250) 542-4031
E-mail: info@fintry.ca