Quesnel Lake

Quesnel Lake

Hurricane Point
Location British Columbia
Coordinates 52°32′N 121°2′W / 52.533°N 121.033°W / 52.533; -121.033Coordinates: 52°32′N 121°2′W / 52.533°N 121.033°W / 52.533; -121.033
Type glacial, fjord lake, oligotrophic[1]
Primary inflows Horsefly River
Mitchell River
Niagara Creek[1]
Primary outflows Quesnel River (total 131m3)[1]
Catchment area 6,200 km2 (2,400 sq mi)[1]
Basin countries Canada
Max. length 100km From Likely to end of East arm, 48km North Arm
Surface area 266 km2 (103 sq mi)[1]
Average depth 157 m (515 ft)[1]
Max. depth 610 m (2,000 ft)[2]
Water volume 41.8 km3 (10.0 cu mi)[1]
Residence time 10.1 years[1]
Shore length1 323.8 km (201.2 mi)
Surface elevation 728 m (2,388 ft)[3]
Settlements Likely, Horsefly
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Quesnel Lake is a glacial lake or fjord in British Columbia, Canada, and is the major teritiary of the mighty Fraser River. With a maximum depth of 610 meters (although the true maximum depth is unknown), it is the deepest fjord lake in the world, the fifth deepest lake in BC, and the deepest lake in the Cariboo region. .[4] It is claimed to be the deepest fjord lake in the world.[1]

On August 4, 2014, the tailings pond of Mount Polley mine burst, spilling toxic effluent into Polley Lake and Quesnel Lake and temporarily depriving residents of Likely, British Columbia, of fresh water for household use.

Forestry, mining and fishing is popular in this area. It is also a trophy lake not allowing live bait or barbed hooks. Catch and release Steelhead, fish less than 10 cm or more than 50cm. Rainbow trout, dolly varden and other lake trout are common.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Quesnel Lake's heat budget" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 6, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2007.
  2. http://www.travel-british-columbia.com/cariboo-chilcotin/cariboo/quesnel-lake/
  3. Elevation from Google Earth
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