Gun Lake (British Columbia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gun LakeBig Gun Lake |
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Location | British Columbia |
Coordinates | 50°52′00″N 122°53′00″W / 50.86667°N 122.88333°W |
Basin countries | Canada |
Max. length | 6 km (3.7 mi) |
Max. depth | 100 m (330 ft) |
Surface elevation | 2,920 ft (890 m) |
Settlements | Gun Lake |
Gun Lake, also known as Big Gun Lake, is a beautiful lake in the west-central part of British Columbia, Canada. It's about 6 km (almost 4 miles) long. The lake is also home to a small community called Gun Lake.
This area is part of the Bridge River Country, a region known for its stunning natural beauty. Gun Lake is located about 5 miles northwest of a community called Gold Bridge.
What's Gun Lake Like?
Gun Lake has a unique shape, almost like a pistol when you look at it from above. It's a deep lake, reaching down to about 100 m (328 feet) in some spots.
Water from Gun Lake flows into a short creek. This creek then joins Gun Creek, which is an important stream that flows into the Bridge River. The Bridge River itself is connected to Carpenter Lake.
Little Gun Lake
Just southwest of Gun Lake, you'll find Lajoie Lake. This smaller lake is sometimes called Little Gun Lake. It also has a small community nearby. Together, Gun Lake and Lajoie Lake are often referred to as the Gun Lakes.
Life Around Gun Lake
Gun Lake is a quiet place, but it gets busier in the summer. About 100 people live there during the warmer months. Around 20 people live there all year round.
It's one of the main communities in the Bridge River Valley. Other important places in the valley include Gold Bridge and Bralorne. Bralorne is a former mining town that is now mostly a ghost town. There's also a smaller vacation community near Tyaughton Lake.
The Story Behind the Name
Have you ever wondered how Gun Lake got its name? There's a cool story about it!
According to an old newspaper article from 1941, a prospector once lost his gun in Gun Creek. A prospector is someone who explores an area looking for valuable minerals like gold. Because of this lost gun, both the lake and the creek were named "Gun." You can even find this old newspaper article posted in a historic mining cabin in Bralorne.