Thutade Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thutade Lake |
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 Thutade Lake
Location in British Columbia
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| Location | British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 56°53′N 127°00′W / 56.883°N 127.000°W |
| Primary inflows | Thutade Creek (Originating from Alma Peak, it is the most distant headwater of the Mackenzie River system) |
| Primary outflows | Finlay River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 40 km (25 mi) |
| Max. width | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) |
Thutade Lake is a long, narrow lake in the Omineca Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. It is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) long and 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) wide. This lake is very important because it is the main source of the Mackenzie River. The Mackenzie River is one of the longest rivers in North America.
Thutade Lake is the starting point of the Finlay River. The Finlay River then flows into the Peace River through Williston Lake. The area around Thutade Lake is very remote. It is about 260 kilometers (160 miles) north of a town called Smithers.
Mining Around Thutade Lake
Even though the area is remote, there have been some mining activities near the lake. These mines look for valuable metals like copper, lead, zinc, and silver. One of the biggest mines was the Kemess Mine. It was an iron and copper mine located near the northeast end of Thutade Lake.
Cascadero Falls and Hydro Power
Just a short distance from where the Finlay River leaves Thutade Lake, it drops over a large waterfall. This waterfall is called Cascadero Falls. It is about 55 meters (180 feet) high. After the falls, the river flows through a series of twisting rapids.
There are plans to use Cascadero Falls to create hydroelectric power. This power would help supply electricity to the mines in the area.
History of Exploration
The first European to explore Thutade Lake and the land around it was Samuel Black. He explored this area in the year 1824.
The upper part of the lake is near the Tatlatui Range. This mountain range sits on the Continental Divide of the Americas. The Tatlatui Range and the nearby valley of Tatlatui Lake are part of Tatlatui Provincial Park. This park helps protect the natural environment of the area.
