The History of Lake Athapapuskow

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The waters of Lake Athapapuskow are far removed from its human history, giving the impression of an untouched wilderness. However, this natural beauty has a story as rich as its surroundings. Native to the region, the Cree people had long recognized the importance of this area for resource-gathering and trade. As early as 1833, fur traders were utilizing the Athabasca River to transport furs from northern forests. In 1915, a canal was opened that connected Lake Athabasca with the Peace River and downstream to the Arctic Ocean at Fort Chipewyan (now called just “Chipewyan”). This new connection provided a different outlet for fur traders but also created competition for territory between rival companies such as Hudson’s Bay Company and North West Company. The rivalry led to several business transactions involving land in northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia. In 1916, George Goeringer acquired much of this land through his company Great Lakes Timber and Trading Company (GLT&TC). He subsequently subdivided it into smaller parcels and began selling them individually or in small packages as part of larger lots. One such parcel was designated as Lot 6-20 Northern Areas (L6-20), which included present-day Athapapuskow Lake.

Athapuskov Lake’s name

The name Athapuskov for the lake comes from the Cree words “atapaskwa”, which means, “coming out in canoes”, or “where canoes come out”. The Cree name was noticed as early as 1842 by Henry Youle Hind while traveling with explorers, including George Mercer. The name Athapapuskow, which is said to be the anglicized version of the Cree name, first appears on a map (showing agricultural land) in the Jasper Park area published in 1928.

Athapapuskow: Cree for “coming out in canoes”

The Cree name for Athapapuskow Lake is “atapaskwa”, which means “coming out in canoes”. In 1921, the University of Alberta conducted an ethnological survey in the Athabasca region. One informant they interviewed was a Cree trapper who said the Cree name for the lake was “atapaskwa”, which, he said, meant “coming out in canoes”. The University of Alberta researchers did not record the informant’s name. An English equivalent of atapaskwa would be “where canoes come out”. In 1928, a map of agricultural lands in the Jasper Park area shows Athapapuskow Lake labeled “Athapapuskow”.

The Lake Athapapuskow Dam

Lake Athapapuskow is a small, remote lake located in the Northern Alberta Lowlands, about 70 km west of Fort McMurray. The lake is at an elevation of about 243 m above sea level and covers about 36 ha. The water level of the lake is regulated by a dam at the north end of the lake. The Lake Athapapuskow Dam is an earth fill structure with a length of 1033 m and a maximum height of 25 m. The lake is a popular recreational area for canoeists, anglers, and campers. Lake Athapapuskow is known for its large number of rainbow trout, which have been stocked in the lake since the 1920s. There is also some northern pike in the lake. Lake Athapapuskow is also well known for its beautiful scenery. Its location at the foot of a steep mountain range and its clear blue water make it a favorite destination for photographers and artists.

Environmental Impact of the Dam

The Athapapuskow Dam was built in 1982 to raise the water level of the lake and increase its capacity as a source of hydroelectric power. Before the dam was built, the water level of the lake was regulated to control flooding in the nearby agricultural region. The high water level has had two important effects. First, it has raised the water temperature, which interferes with the growth of the algae that fish eat. The high water temperature has reduced the growth of algae, which has reduced the food supply for fish. The hot water also kills the fish eggs, which are more sensitive to heat than the adults. The regulation of the water level has also changed the flow of water in the lake. Before the construction of the dam, the lake was connected to a river, which provided a natural source of fresh water for the lake. Since there is no river flowing into Lake Athapapuskow, the lake is now dependent on rain or snowfall for its water supply.

Restoration Efforts

To improve the quality of the lake, the Alberta government has reduced the amount of water flowing into the lake. That has lowered the water level and reduced the amount of sediment entering the lake. The government has also added new types of fish to the lake. It followed a traditional Cree practice of stocking the lake with several species of fish, rather than just keeping the large rainbow trout. In addition, the government is planting more algae in the lake in hopes that it will grow more quickly and provide food for fish.

Conclusion

Lake Athapapuskow is a beautiful, remote lake with a rich and interesting history. The lake has been a source of trading, fishing, and transportation for many years. Today, it remains popular for canoeing and is one of the most photographed areas in Alberta. With the rich history of the area and its natural beauty, Lake Athapapuskow has much to offer visitors.