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Yellowhead Lake

Coordinates: 52°52′00″N 118°32′00″W / 52.86667°N 118.53333°W / 52.86667; -118.53333
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Yellowhead Lake
Location of Yellowhead Lake in British Columbia, Canada.
Location of Yellowhead Lake in British Columbia, Canada.
Yellowhead Lake
Location of Yellowhead Lake in British Columbia, Canada.
Location of Yellowhead Lake in British Columbia, Canada.
Yellowhead Lake
LocationMount Robson Provincial Park
Coordinates52°52′00″N 118°32′00″W / 52.86667°N 118.53333°W / 52.86667; -118.53333
Primary inflowsYellowhead Creek, Rockingham Creek
Primary outflowsYellowhead Creek
Basin countriesCanada
Max. length5.6 km (3.5 mi)
Surface elevation3,635 feet (1,108 m)
IslandsNone
SettlementsNone

Yellowhead Lake is an irregularly shaped lake that is located about 3.7 km southwest of Yellowhead Pass within the boundaries of Mount Robson Provincial Park.[1] It is on the lower reaches of Yellowhead Creek, a large creek that flows into the upper Fraser River above Moose Lake.

Characteristics

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Yellowhead Lake is a very odd shaped lake. It is about 5.6 km long & its width varies depending on where you are. The lake is fed at its northeast end by Yellowhead Creek, which flows through several swamps above the lake before entering it. About ¼ of the way down its southern shore, its only other named tributary, swift-flowing Rockingham Creek enters the lake. Yellowhead Creek exits the lake at its southwestern end & soon reaches the Fraser after passing under the Yellowhead Highway.

Naming

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The lake was first referred to as Cranberry Lake by HBC governor George Simpson as he made his way toward Athabasca Pass in 1824. In 1863, the lake was called Buffalo Dung Lake by Overlanders in search of gold. It was in 1872 that the lake was given its present name, as suggested by George Grant. He named it after the nearby pass.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Yellowhead Lake". BC Geographical Names.
  2. ^ Place Names in the Canadian Rockies: Yellowhead Lake