Williston Lake Reservoir

Williston Lake is a large reservoir in northern British Columbia created by the construction of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam on the Peace River. Completed in the late 1960s, the dam flooded a large river valley to form the reservoir, which is used for hydroelectric generation.

The lake extends through a remote, forested landscape with numerous arms and inlets following the flooded river system; it is an important part of British Columbia’s hydroelectric infrastructure and regional ecology. Navigation, forestry access roads and a small number of communities and lodges occur along the shoreline.

Williston Lake was formed when the W.A.C. Bennett Dam was completed in 1968; the creation of the reservoir submerged valleys and altered local settlement patterns and ecosystems. It remains a working hydroelectric reservoir managed for power generation and flood control.

The reservoir lies in the northern interior of British Columbia, in a sparsely populated region of forests and mountains west of the Alberta border.

• Access and services: The reservoir was created by flooding river valleys and has a highly irregular shoreline; boat access and remote lodges exist but services are sparse in many reaches.

Williston Lake is accessible by road from northern British Columbia communities such as Fort St. John and Prince George; distances are long and services sparse. Plan fuel, supplies and check local conditions before traveling.

• Plan longer stays to explore side arms of the reservoir by kayak; the lake's size rewards time on the water.
• Be bear-aware: the surrounding wilderness is habitat for black bears and other wildlife; follow local guidance and food-storage rules.