Little Lillooet Lake facts for kids

Little Lillooet Lake, also known as Tenas Lake, is a beautiful lake in British Columbia, Canada. It is located south of Pemberton, along the path of the Lillooet River. This river flows from Little Lillooet Lake all the way to Harrison Lake.

Discover Little Lillooet Lake

Little Lillooet Lake is found in the Lower Lillooet Country. You can reach it by turning off Highway 99 onto a Forest Service Road (FSR). The lake is about 33 kilometers (20 miles) along this road. It is an important part of the Lillooet River system.

What's in a Name?

The name "Tenas" or "tenass" comes from Chinook Jargon. This was a trade language used by Indigenous peoples and early settlers in the Pacific Northwest. In Chinook Jargon, "Tenas" means "small" or "child." So, Little Lillooet Lake was also known as the "small lake."

A Lake's Golden History

Even though it's a separate lake, Little Lillooet Lake played a big role in history. During the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, a small dam was built here. This dam helped steamboats travel on the water. Steamboats could then reach Port Pemberton, which was at the top of Lillooet Lake.

This was part of a famous travel route called the Lakes Route. At the south end of Little Lillooet Lake was Port Lillooet. From Port Lillooet, the Douglas Road connected to Port Douglas. Port Douglas was a key spot for river travel from the Strait of Georgia. It served as a gateway to the interior of British Columbia during the Gold Rush.

Nearby Communities and Nature

There are several important communities near Little Lillooet Lake. The Indian reserve community of Samahquam is located near the southern end of the lake, about 33 kilometers (20 miles) from the highway turn-off. Further south, around 47 kilometers (29 miles), is the Skatin Indian Reserve. Close to Skatin, at about 44 kilometers (27 miles), you can find the Tsek hot springs. These natural hot springs are a popular spot for relaxation.