Hayward Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hayward Lake |
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 Hayward Lake
Location in British Columbia
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| Location | Mission, British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 49°12′N 122°23′W / 49.20°N 122.39°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Stave River |
| Primary outflows | Stave River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
Hayward Lake is a beautiful lake and a special kind of lake called a reservoir in British Columbia, Canada. A reservoir is like a big, artificial lake that holds water, often for power or drinking.
This lake is found in the District of Mission, about 60 kilometers east of Vancouver. Hayward Lake was created by the Ruskin Dam, which helps control the Stave River. The lake starts near the Stave Falls Dam and stretches about 7.5 kilometers long. It's usually about 0.5 kilometers wide, but in some spots, it can be up to 1.5 kilometers wide.
The Story of Hayward Lake
When Hayward Lake was first made, it looked very different. It was a "flooded forest" filled with dead trees because the area wasn't cleared before the water filled in. Over time, these trees were removed, making the lake much clearer.
An old railway line, called the British Columbia Electric Railway, used to run along the canyon walls where the lake is now. When the Ruskin Dam was built, the railway line was moved. Today, this old railway path along the west side of the lake is a popular trail for hiking and biking. You can still see some old railway bridges, called trestles, along the route.
There's also a hiking trail on the east side of the lake. Both trails are part of a project by BC Hydro, the company that manages the dams. At the top end of the lake, there's a public beach. This area used to be a small town when the Stave project was being built. There's even a bandstand there that was used in a movie called We're No Angels!
The lake is named after the first person who managed the Stave Powerhouse, Mr. Hayward.
Fun Things to Do at Hayward Lake
Hayward Lake is a great spot for outdoor fun! Besides the main public beach at the Stave Falls end, you can find smaller beaches along the lakeside trails.
Canoeing on the lake is mostly safe now, though you might still see some old tree stumps, called "snags," under the water. For safety, power boats are not allowed on the lake. Also, it's very important not to canoe or swim within 1 kilometer of the Ruskin Dam. This is because the powerful water intakes for the Ruskin Powerhouse could pull you in. There's a special floating barrier, called a log-boom, across the lake to remind everyone to stay safe.
