Barrier Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barrier Lake |
|
|---|---|
Lake, Hwy 40 and Mount Baldy
|
|
 Barrier Lake
Location in Alberta
|
|
| Location | Kananaskis, Alberta |
| Coordinates | 51°01′38″N 115°03′56″W / 51.02722°N 115.06556°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Kananaskis River |
| Primary outflows | Kananaskis River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
Barrier Lake is a beautiful man-made lake in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada. It's a popular spot for outdoor adventures. This lake was created to help make electricity. It's also a fantastic place for people to enjoy nature and have fun.
Contents
Discover Barrier Lake
Barrier Lake is a special lake found in the northern part of Kananaskis Country in Alberta, Canada. It's not a natural lake. Instead, it's a reservoir, which means it was created by building a dam. This dam holds back the water of the Kananaskis River.
Where is Barrier Lake?
You can find Barrier Lake entirely within the Bow Valley Provincial Park. A road called Highway 40 runs right next to the lake. On the eastern side of the lake, you'll see Mount Baldy rising up. It's a very scenic area.
Why Was Barrier Lake Created?
Barrier Lake was built for an important reason: to generate hydroelectric power. This means it helps create electricity using the force of moving water. The dam that forms the lake is located at its northern end. It controls the water flow for power generation.
Fun Things to Do at Barrier Lake
Barrier Lake is a great place for many outdoor activities. It's a popular spot for people who love nature and adventure.
Hiking and Skiing
There are many hiking paths around the lake. These trails are perfect for exploring the beautiful scenery. In the winter, these same paths become cross-country ski trails. It's a wonderful way to enjoy the snowy landscape.
Visitor Centre and Day-Use Areas
If you visit, you can stop by the visitor centre on the eastern shore. It's a good place to learn more about the park. Alberta Parks also maintains two special areas for visitors. These are called Barrier Dam and Barrier Lake day-use areas. They are perfect for picnics or just relaxing by the water.
Camping and Water Sports
For those who love to camp, the Jewell Bay Backcountry Campground is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the dam. It's a great spot for a wilderness camping experience. You can also go water-skiing on the lake. However, the water is usually quite cold, so it's not a very common activity.
Barrier Lake in Movies
Barrier Lake has even been featured in movies and TV shows! It was used as a filming location in the 2003 movie X2: X-Men United. In the film, it stood in for a fictional place called Alkali Lake. The lake also appeared in the Canadian TV series Heartland in 2011. In that show, it was called Eagle Lake.
