Anderson Lake is a deep lake in the Squamish-Lillooet region of southwestern British Columbia. On the northwest side are the Bendor Range and Cadwallader Range. On the southeast is the Cayoosh Range. By road, the southern end is about 47 kilometres (29 mi) northeast of Pemberton.
| Anderson Lake | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Anderson Lake | |
| Location | Lillooet Country, British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 50°37′59″N 122°24′35″W / 50.63306°N 122.40972°W |
| Primary inflows | Gates River |
| Primary outflows | Seton River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 21.3 km (13.2 mi) |
| Max. width | 1.4 km (0.87 mi) |
| Surface area | 28.6 km2 (11.0 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 121.7 m (399 ft) |
| Max. depth | 215 m (705 ft) |
| Water volume | 3.48 km3 (0.83 cu mi) |
| Surface elevation | 260 m (850 ft) |
Name origin edit
In 1827, Francis Ermatinger of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), the first European explorer, referred to the Seton and Anderson lakes as the first and second Peseline Lake (various spellings). In 1846, Alexander Caulfield Anderson ventured along the lakes when seeking a new HBC fur brigade route from Fort Alexandria. In 1858, Governor James Douglas commissioned Anderson to establish a route to the goldfields during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. Encouraged by the governor, he named the first lake after himself.[1]
Dimensions and tributaries edit
The lake is 21.3 kilometres (13.2 mi) long and averages 1.4 kilometres (0.9 mi) wide. The surface area is 28.6 square kilometres (11.0 sq mi). The mean depth is 121.7 metres (399 ft) and maximum depth is 215 metres (705 ft). The size and depth help trap glacial silt entering from tributaries which would cloud the water. The lake has not completely frozen in recent centuries but has in the past.[2] The water is a few degrees warmer than Seton Lake.[3]
At the north end, the outflow is the Seton River. Anticlockwise, the main tributaries are Sundquist Creek, Six Mile Creek, Connel Creek, Xusum Creek, McGillivray Creek, Mellott Creek, Scutt Creek, D'Arcy Creek, Gates River, Pinney Creek, McDonnell Creek, Wade Creek, and Lost Valley Creek. The rapid Gates River at the south end (formerly called Anderson Creek) is the primary inflow.[4]
Geology and topography edit
The region comprises a mix of volcanic and sedimentary rocks.[2] At the end of the Last Glacial Period (LGP), Seton and Anderson were a single continuous lake, with a level about 100 metres (330 ft) higher than present. At the Seton Portage area, erosion and landslides of weak rocks susceptible to rapid weathering tumbled into the lake, and tributaries deposited sediment. Over tens of thousands of years, the accumulation created separate lakes, and a river formed from Anderson to Seton,[5] which by 1910 was about 18 metres (60 ft) lower[6] (currently 15 metres (50 ft)).[7] Minimal agricultural land exists along the mountainous shores of the lake beyond a limited area at the portage.[8] Here, a noticeable gap in the mountains indicates a large landslide on the east side.[3]
Climate edit
During 1964–2016, the mean annual winter temperature was −1 °C (30 °F) and summer was 21 °C (70 °F). The area falls within the rain-shadow of the Coast Mountains, experiencing a semi-arid low mean annual precipitation of 300 to 400 millimetres (12 to 16 in) and forest primarily of Ponderosa Pine.[2] Over the 210-metre (700 ft) descent of the Gates River, the climate changes. Emerging from the valley, the south end of the lake marks the boundary of the Dry Belt.[3]
Ferries edit
1858–c.1864 edit
Although a trail existed along the north shore, this section of the Douglas Road was mostly travelled via the lake, initially by canoe.[9] Built on the lake for Chapman & Co, the 22-metre (72 ft) paddle steamer Lady of the Lake was launched in early summer 1860.[10] Assumedly, this was the vessel that qualified for the $150 government grant.[11] However, competition for freight and passengers from small sail boats allegedly made the steamer operation unprofitable.[12] Before year end, the steamer schedule connected with the Seton Lake one.[13] In 1862, the Port Anderson–Short Portage steamer fare was $1.[14]
Intermediate years edit
First Nations provided an informal canoe service.[15]
1911–1915 edit
In 1911, the Bluebird was built to move workers and supplies during the railway construction, but was destroyed in a violent storm.[16] In late June 1912, the 9.1-metre (30 ft) gasoline-powered Dolly Varden made its first trip up the lake. The service connected with the regular Seton Lake boat and the stage from Pemberton.[17] That year, the railway construction contractor was building a tug and scow for launching in the new year.[18]
The public ferry was subsidised 1912–1915.[19] Refloated after sinking in October 1915, the 50-passenger motorboat was moved to Seton Lake in summer 1916 to operate as a pleasure craft.[20]
Railway edit
In November 1912, the railway contractor erected a headquarters at the southwestern end of the lake.[21]
The northward advance of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (PGE) rail head reached this point in early December 1914, and a mixed train service began mid-month.[22] The rail head reached the western end of Seton Lake late in the following month.[23]
The stations along the west side of the lake have been as follows:
| Train Timetables (Regular stop or Flag stop) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mile | 1923 | 1936 | 1943 | 1950 | 1959 | 1969 | 1978 | 1986 | 1996 | 2002 | |
| [24] | [25] | [26] | [27] | [28] | [29] | [30] | [24] | [31] | [32] | [33] | |
| Seton Portage | 139.3 | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | ||||||
| Seton | 138.0 | Regular | Regular | Regular | Flag | Flag | |||||
| Curries | 133.9 | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | ||||||
| Marne a | 130.4 | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag |
| McGillivray | 128.9 | Regular | Regular | Regular | |||||||
| McGillivray Falls | 128.9 | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | |||||
| Ponderosa | 127.8 | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | |||||
| D'Arcy b | 122.8 | Flag | Regular | Regular | Regular | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag | Flag |
^a . The station existed by 1916 [34]
^b . The station existed by 1915.[35]
In August 1944, a northbound passenger train struck a landslide. The engineer and fireman drowned when the locomotive and tender plunged into the lake. A car derailed, but crew and passengers escaped injury.[36] The locomotive was never recovered.[37]
In November 1954, six cars of a freight train derailed.[38]
In December 2000, when 17 cars of a southbound freight train derailed, three plunged to the bottom of the lake.[39]
Canadian National Railways have operated the BC Rail line since 2004.[40]
Although riding the Kaoham Shuttle beyond the regular Seton Lake route to include the Anderson west shore has been advertised as available by advance appointment in the past,[41] whether the arrangement of such an excursion is still possible is unclear.
Recreation and roads edit
Boating, fishing, water skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, mountain biking, off roading, and snowmobiling are popular. Boat launches exist at the two ends. At D’Arcy, the southern tip, a campground operates and the paving ends. A 33-kilometre (21 mi) seasonal gravel road over high rocky bluffs, known as the High Line Road, traverses the western side of the lake.[42]
Maps edit
- "BC map". www.davidrumsey.com. 1925.
- "Shell BC map". www.davidrumsey.com. 1956.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Anderson Lake (lake)". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ a b c "Influence of glacial turbidity and climate on diatom communities in two Fjord Lakes (British Columbia, Canada)". www.researchgate.net. Jan 2021. pp. 3–4.
- ^ a b c "Minister of Lands annual report, 1913". library.ubc.ca. pp. 537–538 (D461–D462).
- ^ "Report of the Fisheries Commissioner, 1902". library.ubc.ca. p. 25 (G19).
- ^ "Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Seton Portage Area Integrated Hydrogeomorhic Risk Assessment" (PDF). www.slrd.bc.ca. 6 Apr 2018. pp. 26, 55 (8, 37).
- ^ Boam, Henry J. (1912). British Columbia : its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources. p. 427 (417) – via library.ubc.ca.
- ^ "Elevation Finder". www.freemaptools.com.
- ^ "Minister of Lands annual report, 1921". library.ubc.ca. p. 55 (H51).
- ^ "Minister of Mines annual report, 1910". library.ubc.ca. p. 152 (K134).
- ^ Hacking, Norman R. (Jan 1946). "BC Historical Quarterly: Steamboating on the Fraser in the 'Sixties". library.ubc.ca. X (1): 16, 45 (12, 40).
- ^ "New Westminster Times". library.ubc.ca. 25 Feb 1860. p. 3.
- ^ "New Westminster Times". library.ubc.ca. 13 Oct 1860. p. 2.
"New Westminster Times". library.ubc.ca. 20 Oct 1860. p. 2. - ^ "New Westminster Times". library.ubc.ca. 6 Oct 1860. p. 2.
- ^ "Daily Colonist". archive.org. 1 Jul 1862. p. 4.
- ^ "Public Accounts, 1879–80". library.ubc.ca. p. 30 (108).
- ^ Edwards, Irene (1976). Short Portage to Lillooet. self-published. p. 171.
- ^ "Lillooet Prospector". library.ubc.ca. 5 Apr 1912. p. 1.
"Lillooet Prospector". library.ubc.ca. 14 Jun 1912. p. 1. - ^ "Express". library.ubc.ca. 24 Dec 1912. p. 1.
- ^ "Minister of Public Works annual report, 1912–13". library.ubc.ca. p. S80.
to "Minister of Public Works annual report, 1914–15". library.ubc.ca. p. D152. - ^ "Prospector". library.ubc.ca. 8 Oct 1915. p. 1.
"Lillooet Prospector". library.ubc.ca. 4 Aug 1916. p. 1. - ^ "Lillooet Prospector". library.ubc.ca. 8 Nov 1912. p. 1.
- ^ "Prospector". library.ubc.ca. 11 Dec 1914. p. 1.
- ^ "Prospector". library.ubc.ca. 29 Jan 1915. p. 1.
- ^ a b Timetable. 17 Dec 1978.
- ^ Timetable. 11 May 1923.
- ^ Official Guide. Jan 1936.
- ^ Timetable. 19 Apr 1943.
- ^ Wolf, Adolf Hungry (1994). Route of the Cariboo. Timetable 25 Sep 1950. Canadian Caboose. p. 39. ISBN 0-920698-37-9.
- ^ Timetable. 15 Feb 1959.
- ^ "Timetable". www.american-rails.com. 1969.
- ^ Timetable. 26 Oct 1986.
- ^ "Timetable". www.rrpicturearchives.net. 1 Apr 1996.
- ^ "Prince George Free Press". www.pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca. 10 Feb 2002. p. 31.
- ^ "Department of Railways annual report, 1916". library.ubc.ca. p. 37 (D19).
- ^ "Daily Colonist". archive.org. 21 Feb 1915. p. 16.
- ^ "Province". www.newspapers.com. 14 Aug 1944. p. 3.
A Pacific Great Eastern Railway engineer and fireman were carried to their death in the glacial waters of Anderson Lake Saturday night when a northbound "fisherman's special" train to Lillooet hit a landslide and the engine and tender plunged into the lake….One other car was derailed but other crew members and 34 passengers aboard escaped injury….
- ^ "Sunken Locomotives in Canada". churcher.crcml.org.
- ^ "Weather news 1950s" (PDF). www.for.gov.bc.ca. p. 20.
- ^ "Pique News". piquenewsmagazine.com. 14 Dec 2000.
- ^ "$1-Billion BC Rail Investment Partnership moves forward". Province of British Columbia press releases. Archived from the original on 9 April 2005.
- ^ "Trains". cs.trains.com. 12 Sep 2017.
- ^ "Anderson Lake". www.ehcanadatravel.com.