Grand Forks, British Columbia

Grand Forks (population 4,112) is a city in the Boundary Country of the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Granby and Kettle Rivers, a tributary of the Columbia River. The city is just north of the Canada–United States border, approximately 500 km (310 mi) from Vancouver and 200 km (120 mi) from Kelowna and 23 km (14 mi) west of the resort area of Christina Lake by road.

Grand Forks
City
City of Grand Forks
Motto: 
Divitiae ex solo (Latin)
transl. Riches from the soil
Grand Forks is located in British Columbia
Grand Forks
Grand Forks
Location of Grand Forks in British Columbia
Grand Forks is located in Canada
Grand Forks
Grand Forks
Grand Forks (Canada)
Coordinates: 49°02′0″N 118°26′24″W
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
RegionBoundary Country
Regional districtKootenay Boundary
Incorporated4 March 1897
Government
[1]
 • TypeMayor–council government
 • Governing bodyGrand Forks City Council
 • MayorEverett Baker
Area
 • City10.43 km2 (4.03 sq mi)
Elevation
520 m (1,710 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • City4,112
 • Density388.1/km2 (1,005/sq mi)
 • Urban
4,274[2]
Time zoneUTC−08:00 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−07:00 (PDT)
Postal codes
V0H 1H0 & V0H 3H0
Area code(s)250, 778, 236, 672
Highways Hwy 3
WaterwaysGranby River
Kettle River
Websitewww.grandforks.ca

History

In 1894, a new settlement at the North Fork bridge, where the rivers join, was called Grand Forks. However, the valley, dominated by copper mining, was called Grand Prairie, and early settlers equally used that name for the town.[3] The city was laid out in 1895 and Grand Forks was established as a city on 15 April 1897. The adjacent City of Columbia was incorporated on 4 May 1899.[4] By 1902, Grand Forks had three railways, lumber mills, a smelter, mines, a post office, a school and a hospital. The railways servicing Grand Forks were the Canadian Pacific Railway's (CP) Columbia and Western Railway, the Kettle River Valley Railway, and the Great Northern Railway (GNR). Grand Forks and Columbia amalgamated in 1903,[5][6] but only after lengthy disagreements over an acceptable name.[7] In 1907, it was the home of a local branch of the Western Federation of Miners.[8]

A segment of the Trans-Canada Trail uses a former rail right of way near Grand Forks

In 1908 and 1911, the downtown core was affected by a fire, because of wood-frame buildings and stores. Between the years of 1909 and 1913, a group of pacifist Russian immigrants known as Doukhobors settled in the area because of the fertile farm land. Today, many residents of Grand Forks are descendants of the Doukhobors. In 1991, CP decommissioned their railway line through Grand Forks, and the former right-of-way became part of the Trans Canada Trail. The Kettle Falls International Railway, the only remaining operator, which services the former GN route, plans to decommission the line north of Laurier, Washington by 2023.[9] Grand Forks has been promoting industrial growth, which has been declining since the early 2000s. Over time, Grand Forks has gradually expanded in population and now has 4,049 residents within its city limits. The greater rural area, (Area D of the Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary), has another ~3,500 residents.

In May 2018 Grand Forks, and the Boundary region as a whole, were affected by flooding of the Kettle and Granby Rivers. Low-lying areas, including part of the downtown core, saw extensive damage. The Ruckle neighborhood was most affected. The federal government is expected to buy out all the homes in North Ruckle and turn the area back into a natural flood plain.

Government

The City of Grand Forks has a seven-person elected council, with Everett Baker currently serving as mayor. The incumbent councillors are: Zak Eburne-Stoodley, Neil Krog, Christine Thompson, David Mark, Deborah Lafleur and Rod Zielinski. Provincially, Grand Forks is located in the constituency of Boundary-Similkameen, where it is represented by MLA Roly Russell and federally it is located in the South Okanagan—West Kootenay riding and represented by MP Richard Cannings.

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1891 700—    
1901 1,012+44.6%
1911 1,577+55.8%
1921 1,469−6.8%
1931 1,298−11.6%
1941 1,259−3.0%
1951 1,646+30.7%
1956 1,995+21.2%
1961 2,347+17.6%
1966 2,556+8.9%
1971 3,173+24.1%
1976 3,096−2.4%
1981 3,486+12.6%
1986 3,282−5.9%
1991 3,610+10.0%
1996 3,994+10.6%
2001 4,054+1.5%
2006 4,036−0.4%
2011 3,985−1.3%
2016 4,049+1.6%
Sources: Statistics Canada[10][11]
Canada census – Grand Forks community profile
202120162011
Population4,112 (+1.6% from 2016)4,049 (1.6% from 2011)3,985 (-1.3% from 2006)
Land area10.37 km2 (4.00 sq mi)10.43 km2 (4.03 sq mi)10.43 km2 (4.03 sq mi)
Population density396.4/km2 (1,027/sq mi)388.1/km2 (1,005/sq mi)382.0/km2 (989/sq mi)
Median age56.0 (M: 54.0, F: 57.6)55.1 (M: 53.6, F: 56.4)52.3 (M: 50.6, F: 53.8)
Private dwellings1,969 (total)  1,871 (occupied)1,944 (total)  1,918 (total) 
Median household income$61,600$26,395
References: 2021[12] 2016[13] 2011[14] earlier[15][16]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Grand Forks had a population of 4,112 living in 1,871 of its 1,969 total private dwellings, a change of 1.6% from its 2016 population of 4,049. With a land area of 10.37 km2 (4.00 sq mi), it had a population density of 396.5/km2 (1,027.0/sq mi) in 2021.[17]

Ethnicity
Panethnic groups in the City of Grand Forks (1986−2021)
Panethnic
group		 2021[18] 2016[19] 2011[20] 2006[21] 2001[22] 1996[23] 1991[24][25] 1986[26][27][28]: 98 
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
European[lower-alpha 1] 3,410 87.66% 3,420 89.41% 3,280 85.64% 3,710 94.52% 3,605 91.61% 3,750 96.4% 3,230 92.02% 3,025 94.98%
Indigenous 235 6.04% 260 6.8% 365 9.53% 125 3.18% 190 4.83% 35 0.9% 180 5.13% 85 2.67%
South Asian 80 2.06% 40 1.05% 80 2.09% 35 0.89% 45 1.14% 50 1.29% 10 0.28% 30 0.94%
East Asian[lower-alpha 2] 75 1.93% 25 0.65% 0 0% 15 0.38% 35 0.89% 35 0.9% 40 1.14% 35 1.1%
Southeast Asian[lower-alpha 3] 45 1.16% 50 1.31% 40 1.04% 20 0.51% 60 1.52% 10 0.26% 30 0.85% 5 0.16%
African 15 0.39% 20 0.52% 0 0% 10 0.25% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Latin American 10 0.26% 10 0.26% 0 0% 0 0% 10 0.25% 10 0.26% 10 0.28% 0 0%
Middle Eastern[lower-alpha 4] 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 10 0.28% 5 0.16%
Other/Multiracial[lower-alpha 5] 0 0% 10 0.26% 0 0% 10 0.25% 0 0% 0 0% — — — —
Total responses 3,890 94.6% 3,825 94.47% 3,830 96.11% 3,925 97.25% 3,935 97.06% 3,890 97.4% 3,510 97.23% 3,185 97.04%
Total population 4,112 100% 4,049 100% 3,985 100% 4,036 100% 4,054 100% 3,994 100% 3,610 100% 3,282 100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Religion

According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Grand Forks included:[18]

Schools

Schools in the region are operated by School District 51 Boundary which has its main office in Grand Forks and also serves Midway, Greenwood, Beaverdell, and Rock Creek.

There are two elementary (Dr. D. A. Perley Elementary School, and John A. Hutton Elementary School) and one secondary school (Grand Forks Secondary School). The District also operates an alternate learning centre in Grand Forks (Walker Development Centre).

Selkirk College, based in Castlegar, has a community campus in Grand Forks. Established in 1966, Selkirk College is BC's oldest community college. Students that study in Grand Forks have access to a variety of courses at both the High School and College level.

Industry

Major industries in Grand Forks are limited and have become smaller over the past decade with the loss of major industries, such as Pope & Talbot, the industries in Grand Forks are logging, agriculture, rock wool manufacturing, fabrication (metal) and tourism. The city is close to the site of the former Phoenix copper mine, which closed in 1935. The slag piles on the Granby River just outside town are remnants of a large copper smelting operation. The sawmill in Grand Forks is operated by Interfor (formerly Pope and Talbot) and ships forest products into the United States via rail. Tourism has declined in Grand Forks due to a lack of tourist attractions. However, it is in close proximity to the Okanagan, which is a large tourist destination. Christina Lake, which is 20 minutes east of Grand Forks, is home to many resorts and summer homes and its year round population of 1,000 increases to 6,000 during the Summer. The slag from the piles at the north end of town is owned by Pacific Abrasives, who sells it to the US Navy and ships it by rail to San Diego, California to use for sandblasting ships.

Transportation

The short-line Grand Forks Railway is based out of Grand Forks. The company owns 3.7 mi (6.0 km) of track, which connects Roxul and Interfor with the Grand Forks Junction at the south end of town. It is the shortest railway in Canada. Train cars then get sent to the United States via the Kettle Falls International Railway.

The city is also served by the Grand Forks Airport.

Climate

Grand Forks experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) with a similar climate to the Okanagan Valley to the west. However, the Boundary area usually receives slightly colder and snowier winters and slightly hotter summer temperatures, due to its location away from large lakes. Daytime highs during the summer often top 30 °C (86 °F) and surpass 40 °C (104 °F) at least once every few years. Night temperatures often fall rapidly in summer, and frost is rare but not unheard of in June or September. Winter temperatures are moderately (seldom severely) cold, but definitely mild by Canadian standards. Some years may see only a few light snowfalls and intermittent snow cover, whereas others receive several large snowstorms and snow cover from December to March. Precipitation is higher than many other drier Southern Interior locations, but still fairly low.

The primary vegetation in the Grand Forks area is typical of the Southern BC dry belt. Sagebrush, bunchgrass, prickly pear cactus, arrowleaf balsamroot, ponderosa pine and douglas-fir dominate the valley bottom and south facing slopes. More mountainous species such as bearberry, lodgepole pine, western larch, Engelmann spruce, western red cedar and black cottonwood can be found along the Kettle and Granby Rivers and on north facing slopes.

Though an official weather station no longer exists in Grand Forks, unconfirmed reports suggest the highest temperature ever recorded was in excess of 45 °C (113 °F), possibly as high as 48, on 29 June 2021, during the 2021 Western North America heat wave

Climate data for Grand Forks
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.1
(61.0)		 19.4
(66.9)		 24.0
(75.2)		 31.7
(89.1)		 36.1
(97.0)		 45.0
(113.0)		 42.2
(108.0)		 39.4
(102.9)		 36.7
(98.1)		 30.0
(86.0)		 18.9
(66.0)		 25.0
(77.0)		 45.0
(113.0)
Average high °C (°F) −0.5
(31.1)		 3.2
(37.8)		 10.1
(50.2)		 15.7
(60.3)		 20.4
(68.7)		 24.1
(75.4)		 28.4
(83.1)		 28.7
(83.7)		 23.1
(73.6)		 13.8
(56.8)		 4.3
(39.7)		 −1.3
(29.7)		 14.2
(57.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.6
(25.5)		 −1.2
(29.8)		 4.3
(39.7)		 8.8
(47.8)		 13.2
(55.8)		 16.6
(61.9)		 19.9
(67.8)		 19.7
(67.5)		 14.6
(58.3)		 7.5
(45.5)		 1.0
(33.8)		 −4.2
(24.4)		 8.0
(46.4)
Average low °C (°F) −6.7
(19.9)		 −5.6
(21.9)		 −1.6
(29.1)		 1.8
(35.2)		 5.9
(42.6)		 9.2
(48.6)		 11.3
(52.3)		 10.6
(51.1)		 6.1
(43.0)		 1.1
(34.0)		 −2.4
(27.7)		 −7.2
(19.0)		 1.9
(35.4)
Record low °C (°F) −38.9
(−38.0)		 −34.4
(−29.9)		 −22.8
(−9.0)		 −8.3
(17.1)		 −8.3
(17.1)		 −1.7
(28.9)		 1.1
(34.0)		 0.0
(32.0)		 −6.1
(21.0)		 −14.0
(6.8)		 −29.0
(−20.2)		 −37.8
(−36.0)		 −38.9
(−38.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 53.1
(2.09)		 32.8
(1.29)		 35.6
(1.40)		 44.9
(1.77)		 60.2
(2.37)		 62.5
(2.46)		 39.3
(1.55)		 29.1
(1.15)		 28.8
(1.13)		 34.7
(1.37)		 55.4
(2.18)		 58.1
(2.29)		 534.3
(21.04)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 16.6
(0.65)		 18.3
(0.72)		 29.6
(1.17)		 44.2
(1.74)		 60.1
(2.37)		 62.5
(2.46)		 39.3
(1.55)		 29.1
(1.15)		 28.8
(1.13)		 33.9
(1.33)		 33.3
(1.31)		 14.5
(0.57)		 410.3
(16.15)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 36.5
(14.4)		 14.5
(5.7)		 5.9
(2.3)		 0.7
(0.3)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.8
(0.3)		 22.1
(8.7)		 43.6
(17.2)		 124.1
(48.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 13.7 10.0 12.2 12.5 14.5 13.4 8.7 7.3 7.3 10.4 14.9 13.4 138.2
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 5.9 6.8 10.9 12.4 14.5 13.4 8.7 7.3 7.3 10.3 10.6 3.8 111.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 8.9 4.3 1.9 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 5.5 10.4 31.5
Source: [29]

Sports
Club League Sport Venue Established Championships
Grand Forks Border Bruins KIJHL Ice Hockey Jack Goddard Memorial Arena 1969 0

Notable residents

Freedom of the City

The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the City of Grand Forks.

Individuals
  • Jock and Betty Ann McKay 14 Sept 2011
  • Les Johnson: 20 July 2020
  • Larry Seminoff: 15 July 2022.
  • Gerry Foster: 15 July 2022.

[32]

See also

Notes
  1. Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
  2. Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
  3. Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
  4. Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
  5. Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.

References
  1. Meet Your Council – City of Grand Forks
  2. Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and population centres, 2011 and 2006 censuses: British Columbia. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 17 March 2013
  3. "Nelson Star, 25 Oct 2014". nelsonstar.com.
  4. "Name Details: Grand Forks (City)". GeoBC. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  5. "Arts, Culture & Heritage". City of Grand Forks. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  6. "British Columbia". Census of Canada, 1931. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1932. p. 193.
  7. "Nelson Star, 2 Nov 2014". nelsonstar.com.
  8. "Portland Strike Fund Report". Industrial Union Bulletin. Vol. 1, no. 8. 20 April 1907. p. 3.
  9. "Grand Forks Gazette, 10 Jun 2020". nelsonstar.com.
  10. Belshaw, John (2009). Becoming British Columbia: A Population History. ISBN 9780774815451.
  11. "British Columbia – Municipal Census Populations (1921–2011)". BC Stats. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  12. "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  13. "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  14. "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  15. "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. 20 August 2019.
  16. "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. 18 July 2021.
  17. "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  18. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (26 October 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  19. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 October 2021). "Census Profile, 2016 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  20. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 November 2015). "NHS Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  21. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (20 August 2019). "2006 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  22. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2 July 2019). "2001 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  23. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (4 June 2019). "Electronic Area Profiles Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1996 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  24. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (29 March 2019). "1991 Census Area Profiles Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions - Part B". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  25. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (29 March 2019). "Data tables, 1991 Census Population by Ethnic Origin (24), Showing Single and Multiple Origins (2) - Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  26. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 June 2019). "Data tables, 1986 Census Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 Census - Part A". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  27. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 June 2019). "Data tables, 1986 Census Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 Census - Part B". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  28. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (3 April 2013). "Canada's aboriginal population by census subdivisions from the 1986 Census of Canada". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  29. "Calculation Information for 1981 to 2010 Canadian Normals Data". Environment Canada. Archived from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  30. "De Oliver, Xiomara". Le Delarge -Le dictionnaire des arts plastiques modernes et contemporains (in French). Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  31. "Obituary: Edward Dmytryk". The Independent. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  32. "Grand Forks City Council Awards Freedom of the City". The Grand Forks Gazette. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
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