Babine Lake Marine Provincial Park

Last updated

Babine Lake Marine Provincial Park
Location Skeena/Omineca
British Columbia, Canada
Coordinates 54°30′39″N125°42′20″W / 54.51083°N 125.70556°W / 54.51083; -125.70556
Area492 ha (1,220 acres)
Established1993
Governing body BC Parks
Website Official website

Babine Lake Marine Park is on Babine Lake, which borders the Skeena and Omineca regions of central British Columbia. This provincial park comprises six separate sites around the lake. [1] Vehicle access to the lake, via BC Highway 16 and Nilkitkwa forestry service road, is by road about 105 kilometres (65 mi) northeast of Smithers; via BC Highway 16 and Central Babine Lake Highway, is about 132 kilometres (82 mi) east of Smithers; or via Babine Lake Road, is about 20 kilometres (12 mi) northeast of Burns Lake.

Contents

Earlier Pendleton Bay

Pendleton Bay was named after a family who pre-empted around 1914. After World War II, logging activity expanded. Many First Nations people seeking employment relocated from along the lake. In the late 1940s, the federal government built a large wharf to handle freight traffic. [2]

In 1950–51, the school opened. [3] That decade, a two-room teacherage was erected. A general store and café operated. [2]

In 1963, indigenous children were integrated [4] into the provincial three-room school. [2]

In 1971, the school closed. [5] That decade, the final sawmill closed. Nowadays, most residents are retired or seasonal occupants. [2]

Park profile

The province established sites at Pendleton Bay (37 hectares (91 acres)) in May 1993 and Smithers Landing (121 hectares (300 acres)) in June 1993. Sites added (334 hectares (830 acres)) in April 2001 were Sandpoint, Pierre Creek, Hook (Deep) Bay, and Pinkut Creek. The combined total is 492 hectares (1,220 acres). [1] [6]

Park facilities

The gravel logging road from Burns Lake to Pendleton Bay branches to Pinkut Creek. The former provides the only public boat launch on the lake. A fish hatchery borders the latter site. The remaining sites are accessible by water or hiking trail. Seasonal fishing for rainbow and lake trout is popular. The lake is suitable for canoes, kayaks, and motorboats. Sites have picnicking areas and generally accommodate camping. [7]

Other protected areas on the lake

Other protected areas in the vicinity

Maps

Climate

Climate data for Babine Lake Marine Provincial Park
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)10.5
(50.9)
12.0
(53.6)
15.5
(59.9)
20.5
(68.9)
30.0
(86.0)
33.3
(91.9)
33.9
(93.0)
32.0
(89.6)
33.5
(92.3)
30.0
(86.0)
21.5
(70.7)
14.5
(58.1)
12.0
(53.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−4.1
(24.6)
−1.7
(28.9)
3.1
(37.6)
8.5
(47.3)
13.7
(56.7)
17.4
(63.3)
20.0
(68.0)
19.8
(67.6)
15.1
(59.2)
8.2
(46.8)
1.1
(34.0)
−2.5
(27.5)
8.2
(46.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)−7.3
(18.9)
−5.6
(21.9)
−1.6
(29.1)
3.4
(38.1)
8.1
(46.6)
12.3
(54.1)
14.7
(58.5)
14.4
(57.9)
10.1
(50.2)
4.5
(40.1)
−1.8
(28.8)
−5.4
(22.3)
3.8
(38.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−10.5
(13.1)
−9.5
(14.9)
−6.2
(20.8)
−1.7
(28.9)
2.6
(36.7)
7.0
(44.6)
9.4
(48.9)
8.8
(47.8)
5.1
(41.2)
0.7
(33.3)
−4.6
(23.7)
−8.3
(17.1)
−0.6
(30.9)
Record low °C (°F)−44.4
(−47.9)
−38.3
(−36.9)
−33.3
(−27.9)
−20.0
(−4.0)
−5.6
(21.9)
−2.2
(28.0)
0.0
(32.0)
−1.7
(28.9)
−5.0
(23.0)
−20.0
(−4.0)
−31.5
(−24.7)
−36.7
(−34.1)
−44.4
(−47.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)44.0
(1.73)
28.5
(1.12)
25.4
(1.00)
25.2
(0.99)
37.7
(1.48)
53.0
(2.09)
43.7
(1.72)
39.8
(1.57)
40.4
(1.59)
47.9
(1.89)
44.3
(1.74)
40.9
(1.61)
470.8
(18.54)
Average rainfall mm (inches)4.9
(0.19)
3.0
(0.12)
5.8
(0.23)
18.7
(0.74)
37.1
(1.46)
53.0
(2.09)
43.7
(1.72)
39.8
(1.57)
40.4
(1.59)
40.7
(1.60)
16.0
(0.63)
4.5
(0.18)
307.5
(12.11)
Average snowfall cm (inches)44.0
(17.3)
28.5
(11.2)
19.6
(7.7)
6.6
(2.6)
0.6
(0.2)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
7.2
(2.8)
28.3
(11.1)
36.5
(14.4)
163.3
(64.3)
Source: Environment Canada [12]

Footnotes

Related Research Articles

Highway 16 is a highway in British Columbia, Canada. It is an important section of the Yellowhead Highway, a part of the Trans-Canada Highway that runs across Western Canada. The highway closely follows the path of the northern B.C. alignment of the Canadian National Railway (CN). The number "16" was first given to the highway in 1941, and originally, the route that the highway took was more to the north of today's highway, and it was not as long as it is now. Highway 16 originally ran from New Hazelton east to Aleza Lake. In 1947, Highway 16's western end was moved from New Hazelton to the coastal city of Prince Rupert, and in 1953, the highway was re-aligned to end at Prince George. In 1969, further alignment east into Yellowhead Pass was opened to traffic after being constructed up through 1968 and raised to all-weather standards in 1969. Highway 16's alignment on Haida Gwaii was commissioned in 1983 and is connected to the mainland segment via BC Ferries route #11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gulf Islands National Park Reserve</span> National park reserve in British Columbia, Canada

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is a national park located on and around the Gulf Islands in British Columbia, Canada. In the National Parks System Plan, this park provides representation of the Strait of Georgia Lowlands natural region, the only place in Canada with a Mediterranean climate of dry, sunny summers and mild, wet winters, the result of a rain shadow effect from surrounding mountains between the region and the ocean. It has similar dominant vegetation as the Pacific Northwest, such as coastal Douglas-fir, western red cedar, shore pine, Pacific dogwood, bigleaf maple, and red alder, but also contains the northern extent of some of the more drought tolerant trees such as Garry oak and Arbutus. The park was created in 2003 as the fortieth national park. It covers 36 square kilometres (14 sq mi) of area on 16 islands and more than 30 islets, reefs and surrounding waters, making it the sixth smallest national park in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hazelton, British Columbia</span> Village municipality in British Columbia, Canada

Hazelton is a village municipality in the Skeena region of west central British Columbia, Canada. The place is on the southeast side of the Skeena River immediately north of the Bulkley River mouth, where the confluence forms a peninsula. On BC Highway 62, the locality is by road about 75 kilometres (47 mi) northwest of Smithers and 144 kilometres (89 mi) northeast of Terrace. Hazelton is the original of the "Three Hazeltons", the other two being New Hazelton to the southeast and South Hazelton to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adams Lake</span> Lake in British Columbia, Canada

Adams Lake is a deep, cold-water lake in south-central British Columbia, which separates the Thompson and Shuswap regions and the Thompson–Nicola and Columbia–Shuswap regional districts. The upper reaches lie in the northern Monashee Mountains, while the lower end penetrates the Shuswap Highland. The southern end is by road about 79 kilometres (49 mi) northeast of Kamloops.

Fort Babine is an unincorporated community that borders the Skeena and Omineca regions of central British Columbia. This First Nations settlement is on the east shore of the Babine River at the northern tip of Babine Lake. By road, the location is about 105 kilometres (65 mi) northeast of Smithers.

Babine Mountains Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada, located to the east of the Bulkley River between the town of Smithers (SW) and Babine Lake (NE). Established by Order-in-Council as the Babine Mountains Recreation Area in 1984, it was upgraded to park status and its name changed in 1999. It contains approximately 31,465 hectares.

Kitsumkalum Park is in the Skeena region of west central British Columbia, Canada. This provincial park is on the east shore of the Kitsumkalum River at the foot of Kitsumkalum Lake. On Kalum Lake Road, the locality is by road about 29 kilometres (18 mi) north of Terrace.

Lava Forks Provincial Park is a provincial park in northern British Columbia, Canada. It is the site of Canada's most recent volcanic eruption, which occurred in 1904 at Lava Fork.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miracle Beach Provincial Park</span> Provincial park on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada

Miracle Beach Provincial Park is a provincial park on the eastern shore of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Located between Comox and Campbell River, the park includes a foreshore area in the Strait of Georgia, much of the Black Creek estuary, and a forested area. According to its Master Plan, it fulfills primarily a recreational role with a focus on beach play, picnicking, nature appreciation, and camping, and a secondary conservation role with a focus on the natural shoreline and estuary. In support of its recreational focus the park is developed with a day-use parking area with accessible trails leading to the shoreline and a camping area with 200 drive-in sites. The park is also hosts a nature centre building and a sheltered group picnic shelter. Vegetation in the park is typical for the region's second-growth forests with Douglas-fir most prominent. Common associates include Western hemlock, Sitka spruce, red alder and bigleaf maple. Salal and sword fern are the most abundant shrub. Black Creek, which flows through the park, is a spawning area for coho salmon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Babine Lake</span> A large natural lake in British Columbia, Canada

Babine Lake borders the Skeena and Omineca regions of central British Columbia, Canada. Vehicle access to the lake, via BC Highway 16 and Nilkitkwa forestry service road, is by road about 105 kilometres (65 mi) northeast of Smithers; via BC Highway 16 and Central Babine Lake Highway, is about 132 kilometres (82 mi) east of Smithers; or via Babine Lake Road, is about 20 kilometres (12 mi) northeast of Burns Lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BC Parks</span> Government agency that manages the British Columbia Parks and Protected Areas System

BC Parks is an agency of the British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy that manages all of the, as of 2020, 1,035 provincial parks and other conservation and historical properties of various title designations within the province's Parks oversaw of the British Columbia Parks and Protected Areas System. The Lieutenant Governor-in-Council created the agency on March 1, 1911, through the Strathcona Park Act. The agency is charged with a dual role of preserving the ecological and historical integrity of the places entrusted to its management, while also making them available and accessible for public use and enjoyment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buttle Lake</span> Reservoir in Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Buttle Lake is a lake on Vancouver Island in Strathcona Regional District, British Columbia, Canada. It is about 23 kilometres (14 mi) long and 1.5 kilometres (0.9 mi) wide, has an area of 28 square kilometres (11 sq mi), is up to 120 metres (394 ft) deep, and lies at an elevation of 221 metres (725 ft). The lake is located between Campbell River and Gold River in Strathcona Provincial Park. The lake is the headwaters of the Campbell River.

Babine Portage borders the Skeena and Omineca regions of central British Columbia. The portage linked Babine Lake and Stuart Lake, and lies between the Yekooche First Nation reserves of Nan tl' at 13 and Ye koo che 13. By road, the location is about 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Fort St. James.

Lake Babine Nation is a Babine band government, historically located on the banks of Babine Lake in central British Columbia, Canada. Its main community has been in Woyenne, near Burns Lake, since many of the nation's members moved there in the 1940s. Other year-round communities include Tachet on the central part of Babine Lake and Wit'at at the end of the northwest arm of the lake. Seasonal communities include Nedo'ats at the north end of the lake and Donald's Landing toward the south end.

Winlaw is an unincorporated community adjacent to Winlaw Creek on the east side of the Slocan River in the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia. The locality is on BC Highway 6 about 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Slocan, and 49 kilometres (30 mi) north of Castlegar.

Monte Creek is an unincorporated community in the Thompson region of south central British Columbia. The former ferry landing is east of the mouth of Monte Creek and on the south shore of the South Thompson River. Immediately west of the BC Highway 97 intersection on BC Highway 1, the locality is by road about 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Chase and 28 kilometres (17 mi) east of Kamloops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Incomappleux River</span> River in British Columbia, Canada

The Incomappleux River is in the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada. Entering the Beaton Arm of Upper Arrow Lake, the river is a major tributary of the Columbia River. The upper reaches of the Incomappleux valley are home to some of the only inland temperate rainforest in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mara Lake</span>

Mara Lake is a lake in the Shuswap Country region of south central British Columbia, Canada. To the west is Hyde Mountain and east is Morton Peak. The outlet of the Shuswap River forms the upper reaches. The lower end enters the narrows at Sicamous and flows into Shuswap Lake. The northern end of Mara Lake is by road about 73 kilometres (45 mi) west of Revelstoke, 140 kilometres (87 mi) east of Kamloops, and 75 kilometres (47 mi) north of Vernon.

Edgewood is a settlement on the west shore of Lower Arrow Lake in the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia. The former steamboat landing is between the mouths of Inonoaklin Creek and Eagle Creek. The locality, off BC Highway 6, is by road about 136 kilometres (85 mi) southeast of Vernon and 76 kilometres (47 mi) by road and ferry southwest of Nakusp.

The Lardeau River, which flows into the Duncan River, is in the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia. The Selkirk Mountains lie to the west and the Purcell Mountains to the east.

References