Buntzen Lake

Buntzen lake used to be named Trout Lake, and was also called Lake Beautiful,{{cite web

| url = http://www.belcarra.ca/reports/Coquitlam_Watershed_History.pdf

| title = A Presentation on the History of the Coquitlam Watershed and River 1898 - 1914

| author = Will Koop

| accessdate = 2007-06-18

| date = April 6, 1994

| pages = Page 4

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061007112849/http://www.belcarra.ca/reports/Coquitlam_Watershed_History.pdf

| archive-date = October 7, 2006

| url-status = dead

}} and was renamed to Buntzen Lake in 1905 at the opening of the tunnel to Coquitlam Lake.{{cite web

| url = http://www.belcarra.ca/reports/Coquitlam_Watershed_History.pdf

| title = A Presentation on the History of the Coquitlam Watershed and River 1898 - 1914

| author = Will Koop

| accessdate = 2007-06-18

| date = April 6, 1994

| pages = Page 7

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061007112849/http://www.belcarra.ca/reports/Coquitlam_Watershed_History.pdf

| archive-date = October 7, 2006

| url-status = dead

}}

In 1903 the lake was used to power Vancouver's first hydroelectric plant the Buntzen Powerhouse. A tunnel was excavated through Eagle Mountain from Coquitlam Lake to Buntzen Lake. Coquitlam Lake was dammed, and water flowed 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) through the tunnel to Buntzen Lake, and from there, through an outlet at the north end of the lake to two power generating stations on Indian Arm. The first, Powerhouse No 1 built in 1903, and the second 300M away, Powerhouse No 2 built in 1914. At {{coord|49.370573|-122.873783}}

Buntzen Lake was used in another power generating plant, Burrard Generating Station, a gas-powered plant, where the lake water was used to produce steam for the generators. This generating station was shut down in 2016.

The area around the lake is managed by BC Hydro as a recreation site and visitors can swim, fish, hike, and boat on the lake.

Image:Buntzen lake trail.JPG

There are many trails on or around the Lake. The recreation area has been a very good example of multiple use, allowing hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians to use the trails together. Most of the trails extend from the recreation area into Indian Arm Provincial Park.{{Cite web |url=http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/indian_arm/indian_arm.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-06-24 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181509/http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/indian_arm/indian_arm.pdf |url-status=dead }} Along the shore of the lake, there is a dock, a dog off-leash beach, and a designated swimming area.

Dogs on a leash are permitted on all trails at Buntzen Lake. There are also two designated off-leash areas, one of which includes an off-leash beach area, and an off-leash trail.

Some trails include:

The Halvor Lunden Trail is named for a local prolific trail builder and maintainer who blazed many of the trails around Buntzen Lake in the 1980s and 90s. The trail is composed of the Lindsay Lake Loop, Swan Falls Loop and Dilly Dally Loop (described below).

Hiking time: 6–8 hours return. Distance: 15 km (9 mi). Elevation gain: 1,020 m (3,350 ft).

This is the most popular of the three Halvor Lunden trails. It passes thought ancient mountain forests and has a number of viewpoints from which overlook Vancouver. The trailhead is on Powerhouse Road, near the southeast corner of the South Beach parking area, and takes you up a steep climb of over 700m, passing the Polytrichum Lookout before reaching the "Lake district" which includes several small lakes and the larger Lindsay Lake.

Hiking time: 8–10 hours return. Distance: 20 km (12 mi). Elevation gain: 1,150 m (3,770 ft).

The Swan Falls trailhead starts at the north end of Buntzen lake near North Beach. It is very steep in places and is only recommended for experienced and fit hikers. This trail forks into a number of trails between El Paso Junction and Lindsay Junction. The different trails give hikers the option of seeing the old growth forest of Eagle Ridge or pass by a number of tarns. North of Lindsay Junction is Eagle Peak with views of Mount Baker, Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, the Coquitlam watershed, Mount Seymour Provincial Park, and Indian Arm. Swan Falls was named for Gordon Swan by Dr. Simon Priest. Both were instrumental in trail building at Buntzen in the late 1970s on behalf of the Simon Fraser University Outdoor Club.{{Cite web|url=http://simonpriest.com/ID.html#SFT|title = Downloads & Other Ideas | ePortfolio | Simon Priest}}

Hiking time: 10–12 hours return. Distance: 25 km (16 mi). Elevation gain: 1,150 m (3,770 ft).

This trail through high mountain forests is recommended for experienced and fit hikers only. The trailhead is located north of the Swan Falls trailhead, and takes the hiker further north to the Croker Lookout where there are fine views of the north end of Indian Arm, before climbing steeply to the top of Eagle Ridge. The trail continues south along the ridge over the 1200m Dill Dally peak before joining the Swan Falls trail.

Hiking time: 4–5 hours return. Distance: 8 km (5 mi). Elevation gain: 100 m (330 ft).

This loop trail circles Buntzen Lake starting at Buntzen Creek Bridge at the east side of South Beach.

This loop around the wooded knoll southwest of the South Beach boat launch includes views of Buntzen Lake and interpretive displays along the trail.

Hiking time: 6–8 hours return. Distance: 7 km (4 mi) (one way). Elevation gain: 460 m (1,510 ft).

The name of this trail, "ten views" in Spanish, refers to the many views of Vancouver area waterways and mountains visible from this trail.

These trails form loops in the cedar and hemlock forests on the steep slopes at the south west slopes of Buntzen Lake, providing access to the Diez Vistas Trail and the trail to Sasamat Lake.

Hiking time: 5–6 hours return. Distance: 6 km (4 mi) (one way). Elevation gain: 150 m (490 ft).

Portions of this trail are very steep. Equestrians and mountain bike riders should only use this trail if experienced in steep mountain terrain riding. Providing an alternative route along Buntzen Lake's western shore, this trail weaves its way along Pumphouse Road from the main entrance gate, then connects with the transmission line heading north before slipping into the dense forest that enfolds Buntzen Ridge. The trail ends where it joins the Old Buntzen Lake Trail near North Beach. This trail is opened to equestrians and mountain bike riders.

Hiking time: 2–2.5 hours (one way). Distance: 4 km (2 mi). Elevation gain: 100 m (330 ft).

This trail through fern-filled forests is open to equestrians and mountain bike riders.

Hiking time: 45 minutes (one way). Distance: 1.5 km (0.9 mi). Elevation gain: 20 m (70 ft).

This trail was used to circumnavigate Buntzen Lake before the suspension bridge was built which the new Buntzen Lake Trail traverses.

Leads up from the Academy Trail to Vista Point, a viewpoint overlooking the lake. Confusingly named the same as Eagleridge Bluffs in West Vancouver.

Leads from El Paso Junction on the Halvor Lunden Trail to the old logging road network on Eagle Ridge. A viewpoint partway along the trail overlooks Coquitlam.

Rainbow trouts are quite regularly stocked in this lake. Fishing can be done from the pier, viewpoint, middle beach or anywhere from shorelines around the lake. Kayaking can also be a great method to catch some trouts in this lake.

• Lake Placid (1999)

{{cite web

| url = https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1800022899/details

| title = Lake Placid (1999)

| work = Yahoo Movies

| accessdate = 2007-06-18

}}

• The X-Files Season 1 Episode 4 Conduit (1993)
• The X-Files Season 3 Episode 22 Quagmire (1996)
• Highlander: The Series (1992–1998)
• Hot Rod (2007)
• Freddy vs. Jason (2003){{cite web

| url = http://www.fridaythe13thfilms.com/bts/locations/partfvsj.html

| title = Freddy vs. Jason Film Locations

| accessdate = 2007-06-18

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180824033525/http://www.fridaythe13thfilms.com/bts/locations/partfvsj.html

| archive-date = 2018-08-24

| url-status = dead

}}

• Devour (2005)
• The Blair Witch Project (1999)
• Roxanne (1987){{cite web

| url = http://timeout.com/film/newyork/reviews/76982.html

| title = Roxanne(1987)

| work = Yahoo Movies

| accessdate = 2007-08-15

}}{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

• The People Across the Lake (1988){{cite web

| url = http://brainsonfilm.com/plake.html

| title = People Across the Lake

| accessdate = 2007-08-15

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070910104249/http://www.brainsonfilm.com/plake.html

| archive-date = 2007-09-10

| url-status = dead

}}

• Pathfinder (2007)
• Smallville Season 5 Episode 4 Aqua (2005)
• Supernatural Season 1 Episode 3 Dead in the Water (2005)

{{cite web

| url = https://www.imdb.com/List?endings=on&&locations=Buntzen%20Lake,%20Anmore,%20British%20Columbia,%20Canada&&heading=18;with+locations+including;Buntzen%20Lake,%20Anmore,%20British%20Columbia,%20Canada

| title = Titles with locations including Buntzen Lake, Anmore, British Columbia, Canada

| work = Internet Movie Database

| publisher = Amazon.com

| accessdate = 2007-06-18

}}

• Dark Angel (2000–2002)
• Three O'Clock (2005)
• It (1990)
• The 4400 (2004–2007)
• Eureka (2006–2012)

• American black bear
• Black-tail deer
• American crow
• Coyote
• Squirrel
• Trout
• Cougar
• Bobcat
• Otter

• Ferns
• Stinging nettle
• Skunk cabbage
• Western red cedar
• Hemlock
• Douglas fir
• Alder

{{Weather box|width=auto

|metric first=y

|single line=y

|location = Buntzen Lake

|Jan record high C = 12.2

|Feb record high C = 12.8

|Mar record high C = 17.0

|Apr record high C = 25.0

|May record high C = 30.0

|Jun record high C = 33.9

|Jul record high C = 33.3

|Aug record high C = 32.8

|Sep record high C = 29.4

|Oct record high C = 19.4

|Nov record high C = 14.5

|Dec record high C = 15.0

|Jan record low C = -14.0

|Feb record low C = -6.7

|Mar record low C = -6.1

|Apr record low C = -3.9

|May record low C = -1.1

|Jun record low C = 3.9

|Jul record low C = 6.7

|Aug record low C = 6.1

|Sep record low C = 1.7

|Oct record low C = -2.2

|Nov record low C = -5.6

|Dec record low C = -10.8

|Jan high C = 3.9

|Feb high C = 6.4

|Mar high C = 8.5

|Apr high C = 13.1

|May high C = 16.5

|Jun high C = 19.5

|Jul high C = 23.1

|Aug high C = 22.4

|Sep high C = 18.1

|Oct high C = 12.7

|Nov high C = 7.4

|Dec high C = 5.4

| year high C =

|Jan mean C = 1.8

|Feb mean C = 3.8

|Mar mean C = 5.1

|Apr mean C = 8.7

|May mean C = 11.7

|Jun mean C = 14.7

|Jul mean C = 17.7

|Aug mean C = 17.6

|Sep mean C = 14.1

|Oct mean C = 9.7

|Nov mean C = 5.2

|Dec mean C = 3.2

| year mean C =

|Jan low C = -0.5

|Feb low C = 1.1

|Mar low C = 1.8

|Apr low C = 4.2

|May low C = 6.8

|Jun low C = 10.0

|Jul low C = 12.2

|Aug low C = 12.7

|Sep low C = 10.0

|Oct low C = 6.6

|Nov low C = 2.9

|Dec low C = 1.0

| year low C =

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 395.2

|Feb precipitation mm = 314.1

|Mar precipitation mm = 256.4

|Apr precipitation mm = 175.2

|May precipitation mm = 212.9

|Jun precipitation mm = 115.9

|Jul precipitation mm = 70.4

|Aug precipitation mm = 97.8

|Sep precipitation mm = 167.3

|Oct precipitation mm = 318.5

|Nov precipitation mm = 390.0

|Dec precipitation mm = 486.8

|year precipitation mm =

| unit precipitation days =

| Jan precipitation days = 20

| Feb precipitation days = 18

| Mar precipitation days = 18

| Apr precipitation days = 15

| May precipitation days = 13

| Jun precipitation days = 12

| Jul precipitation days = 8

| Aug precipitation days = 9

| Sep precipitation days = 12

| Oct precipitation days = 17

| Nov precipitation days = 18

| Dec precipitation days = 22

| year precipitation days =

|Jan snow cm = 28.7

|Feb snow cm = 6.3

|Mar snow cm = 8.1

|Apr snow cm = 0.0

|May snow cm = 0.0

|Jun snow cm = 0.0

|Jul snow cm = 0.0

|Aug snow cm = 0.0

|Sep snow cm = 0.0

|Oct snow cm = 0.0

|Nov snow cm = 2.0

|Dec snow cm = 15.3

|year snow cm =

|unit snow days =

|Jan snow days = 4

|Feb snow days = 1

|Mar snow days = 1

|Apr snow days = 0

|May snow days = 0

|Jun snow days = 0

|Jul snow days = 0

|Aug snow days = 0

|Sep snow days = 0

|Oct snow days = 0

|Nov snow days = 0

|Dec snow days = 3

|year snow days =

|source = Environment and Climate Change Canada{{cite web |url= https://climate.weather.gc.ca/doc/En56-60-2-1982.pdf

|title= CANADIAN CLIMATE NORMALS VOLUME 2 TEMPERATURE 1951–1981

|publisher=Environment and Climate Change Canada

|access-date=3 June 2024}}

{{cite web|url= https://climate.weather.gc.ca/doc/En56-60-3-1982.pdf

|title= CANADIAN CLIMATE NORMALS VOLUME 3 PRECIPITATION 1951–1981

|publisher=Environment and Climate Change Canada

|access-date=3 June 2024}}

}}

• List of lakes of British Columbia

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://www.buntzenlake.ca/]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928004510/http://www.canadianmountainencyclopedia.com/FtrPg.asp?FtrId=528 Buntzen Lake]}} at the Canadian Mountain Encyclopedia
• [http://www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/buntzen_lake_trails.html Buntzen Lake trail maps and directions]

{{IBWaterDiv}}

{{British Columbia hydrography}}

Category:Lakes of the Lower Mainland

Category:Reservoirs in British Columbia

Category:Anmore

Category:New Westminster Land District