Kinbasket Lake Lake

Address: Kinbasket Lake, British Columbia, Canada (Columbia River reservoir)

Kinbasket Lake is a reservoir on the Columbia River in British Columbia, Canada, created by the construction of Mica Dam. It is one of the large impoundments on the Columbia River system in southeastern British Columbia.

The reservoir was formed when Mica Dam was completed on the Columbia River in the early 1970s as part of regional hydroelectric development. Filling of the valley inundated former river channels and created the present reservoir shoreline.

Kinbasket Lake lies in southeastern British Columbia along the Columbia River corridor, within the broader area between Golden, Revelstoke and communities farther north in the interior. Access is by regional highways and forest roads that reach different arms of the reservoir.

• Creation date: Formed by the Mica Dam on the Columbia River; the dam was completed in the early 1970s.
• Two main arms: Often referenced as Upper and Lower Kinbasket, reflecting the reservoir’s two principal arms and inflow valleys.

What to See#

• Upper and Lower Kinbasket: Divided into two main arms commonly called Upper Kinbasket and Lower Kinbasket, each following different tributary valleys of the Columbia River.
• Reservoir structure: Created by the impoundment on the Columbia River at Mica Dam, the reservoir forms a series of bays and flooded valleys used for boating and backcountry access.

• Treat Kinbasket as a remote reservoir rather than a typical lake: plan logistics in advance-fuel, supplies and services are available in towns such as Golden or Valemount but are sparse near the lake.
• Check BC Hydro and local BC Parks information for current water levels, boat-ramp locations and restrictions before launching; cell coverage is patchy, so file a float plan and be prepared for long distances between services.