Mahood Lake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mahood Lake
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Location	South Cariboo, British Columbia
Primary inflows	Canim River, Deception Creek
Primary outflows	Mahood River
Basin countries	Canada
Max. length	21 km (13.0 mi)
Max. width	2.2 km (1.4 mi)
Surface area	33.5 km2 (12.9 sq mi)
Max. depth	197 m (646 ft)
Surface elevation	629 m (2,064 ft)
Islands	0

Mahood Lake is a beautiful lake located in the South Cariboo region of British Columbia in Wells Gray Provincial Park. It is an important part of the park's natural landscape.

The lake is fed by the short Canim River. This river brings water from nearby Canim Lake to the west. Along its path, the Canim River creates two amazing waterfalls: Canim Falls and Mahood Falls. Mahood Lake then flows out through the Mahood River. This river eventually joins the Clearwater River. The Mahood River has carved a deep canyon over time.

Mahood Lake sits at an elevation of 629 metres (about 2,064 feet) above sea level. It is quite deep, reaching 197 metres (about 646 feet) at its deepest point. The lake covers an area of about 33.5 square kilometres (13 square miles). It stretches for about 21 kilometres (13 miles) from east to west. At its widest, it is about 2.2 kilometres (1.4 miles) across. Just south of the lake, you can see Mount Mahood, which rises to 1,812 metres (5,945 feet).

Exploring Mahood Lake's History

Even though there are no written records, we know that First Nations people visited the Mahood Lake valley. You can still see ancient pictographs (rock paintings) along the south shore of the lake. These paintings show that people have been connected to this area for a very long time.

How Mahood Lake Got Its Name

The area around Mahood Lake became very busy between 1872 and 1874. During this time, three different groups of surveyors from the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) explored its shores. Their main goal was to find the best route for a new railway. This railway would connect Yellowhead Pass in the Rocky Mountains all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

One of the main surveyors was Marcus Smith. He believed the railway should end at Bute Inlet. In September 1872, he had a very tough journey along the rugged northern shore of Mahood Lake. He wrote in his diary that it was one of the hardest and most dangerous parts of his survey.

By chance, on September 17, 1872, Smith met another survey team. This team was led by James Adam Mahood. Mahood had been chosen by the CPR in 1871 to survey routes further west. The two groups spent a day together, sharing their maps and notes.

Between 1872 and 1881, many survey teams explored British Columbia. They were all trying to find the perfect railway route. The teams led by Smith, Mahood, and another surveyor named Joseph Hunter all visited the area that is now Wells Gray Park. However, in 1881, a different route was chosen much further south. This meant all the hard work exploring the Mahood Lake area for the railway was not used.

Still, three places in Wells Gray Park remember these surveys. They are Mahood River and Lake (named after James Adam Mahood), Marcus Falls (named after Marcus Smith), and Murtle River and Lake (named after Joseph Hunter's birthplace in Scotland). The lake was officially named after James Adam Mahood, who passed away in 1901. He surveyed the lake's shore in 1872.

The Story of Mahood Lake Lodge

In 1939, a family named Benjie and Florence McNeil built the Mahood Lake Lodge. It was located at the west end of the lake. The lodge was made of logs and had a dining room, a lounge, and 13 guest rooms. For the next 20 years, the lodge was a popular spot. Many famous people visited because the fishing in Mahood Lake was excellent. Even a well-known travel writer, Duncan Hines, recommended the lodge!

The McNeils sold the lodge in 1959. They moved to 100 Mile House so their seven children could go to a regular school. Before that, the children had to learn through a special correspondence program. Sadly, the Mahood Lake Lodge burned down in 1962. Today, the Mahood Lake Campground, run by B.C. Parks, is located where the lodge once stood.

Geography and Waterways

The deep valley where Mahood Lake sits was carved out by huge glaciers long ago. You can still find traces of ancient lava flows north of the lake's east end and along the Canim River.

Inflows and Outflows

The main river flowing into Mahood Lake is the Canim River. It is about 8 kilometres (5 miles) long. This river flows from Canim Lake, and much of it passes through a rugged gorge made of lava rock. The Canim River drops 142 metres (466 feet) between the two lakes. This drop creates the beautiful Canim Falls and Mahood Falls. Another important stream flowing into Mahood Lake is Deception Creek. It's on the north shore and has a 50-metre (164-foot) high waterfall called Deception Falls.

The water from Mahood Lake flows out through the Mahood River. This river is only about 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) long. It tumbles over Sylvia Falls and Goodwin Falls before joining the larger Clearwater River.

Getting There and Exploring Trails

The only way to reach Mahood Lake by road is to go to its west end. You can get there from Little Fort on the Yellowhead Highway #5 or from 100 Mile House on the Cariboo Highway #97.

Mahood Lake Campground

The Mahood Lake Campground is a great place to stay. It has 34 campsites and is managed by the Wells Gray Park concessionaire. The campground offers a sandy beach where you can relax and a boat launching ramp if you want to go out on the lake. The Mahood Lake Road continues about 5 kilometres (3 miles) past the campground. It ends at Deception Point, which is one of the few private properties inside Wells Gray Park.

Hiking Trails Near Mahood Lake

There are four fun hiking trails close to the Mahood Lake Campground:

• The trail to Canim and Mahood Falls lets you see these impressive waterfalls up close.
• The Canim River trail follows the river's path.
• The Whale Lake trail leads to a peaceful lake.
• The Deception Falls trail takes you to the 50-metre high waterfall.

At the east end of Mahood Lake, there is another trail. This one follows the Mahood River past Sylvia and Goodwin Falls, all the way to the Clearwater River. For more detailed information about these trails and where they start, you can check out the book Exploring Wells Gray Park.