Boating
in Northern BC
Peace River/Alaska Highway Region
Williston
Lake in the Peace
River Alaska Highway region of Northern British
Columbia, is the largest lake in the province. This
man made lake was created when the large hydro electric
project, the W.A.C. Bennett Dam was built in 1968.
Williston Lake, is the dam reservoir, and is in
part three different rivers, the Peace, Parsnip
and Findlay. The lake covers an area of 250 km (155
mi.) in the Rocky Mountain Trench, providing hours
of pleasure to boaters and fishing enthusiasts.
The
town of Mackenzie
is the access point to the Parsnip Reach while the
town of Hudson's
Hope is the access point to the Peace Reach
of the lake. Experienced boaters can enjoy good
fishing in these two reaches and the open waters
of Williston Lake. Use extreme caution when boating
here, as sudden strong winds can create high waves
and there is floating debris from the flooded lake
bottom. Wildlife,
such as deer and Stone's Sheep are often seen roaming
this region.
Visit
the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, where the visitor centre
offers free scheduled underground tours. See the
fossil collection at the Hudson's Hope Museum. Dunlevy
Provincial Park, at the east end of Williston Lake
offers a picnic and day use area, with boat ramp
and pit toilets. There are municipal and private
camping sites at both Mackenzie and Hudson's Hope.
Boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, photography
and exploring are all activities that can be enjoyed
on Williston Lake and surrounding area.
