Location:
Jones Lake Reservoir (aka Wahleach Lake) lies approximately 25 km.
(15.5 mi.) southwest of the town of Hope,
British Columbia. Turn south off BC Highway #1 at the community
of Laidlaw. Final access is 9 kms. (5.6 mi.) of steep gravel road.
The Jones Lake Forest Service Road is car accessible, however caution
must be taken as it is an active logging road Monday through Friday.
Resorts
& Campsites:
No resorts are present at the Wahleach Lake (Jones Lake), however
there is a beautiful BC Hydro Recreation site which has boat launching,
a picnic/day use area, approximately 20 campsites, and hiking trails.
BC Adventure Network members serving this area:
If you would like to have your business listed, please Click Here.
Fishing
Report: Fair to good catch rate for rainbows to 1+ lbs.
Kokanee up to 2+ lbs. are also found in the lake, and fishing for
these can be excellent at times. Trolling with small lures such
as wedding bands seems to be the most productive method used in
Jones Lake, however fly fishermen have also reported good success. Be sure to visit Fishbc.com
for angling information!
History:
Upon arrival at the parking lot of the recreational site you will
notice a sign along with photos and diagrams that tells you the
story of BC Hydro's Jones Lake project. It reads: "The Jones Lake
Reservoir and the associated Wahleach Generation Station next to
the Fraser River, show how geography and climatic conditions play
a major part in the development of electric power in British Columbia.
The
availability of large volumes of water combined with the potential
for creating a high elevation drop determines the locations for
Hydro-electric sites. When the Wahleach Project was completed in
1952, the elevation drop of the water was higher than any electrical
facility in Canada. The surface of the resevoir is over 600 meters
(1968 ft.) above the Fraser River.
Usually
stream flows or runoff from snow melt, is low in the winter when
maximum electrical production is required. Conversely, when runoff
is high in the spring and/or summer electrical demand is reduced.
Storage reservoirs, such as Jones Lake, balance outflows with energy
demand using stored water to produce electricity throughout the
year.
The Wahleach Project was officially opened for power production
on 4 December 1952. When completed, the Project produced 13.5 %
of the electric power required by the British Columbia Electric
Company, a predecessor of BC Hydro. Although the Wahleach Generating
Station now supplies less than 1% of the electric requirements of
BC Hydro, it is nevertheless an important link in the production
of electric power close to the major load center in the Lower Mainland.
A
detailed engineering investigation by BC Hydro in the 1980's showed
several modifications were required to enhance the safety of the
dam and associated works. Improvements were undertaken within the
tunnel, at the spillway and at the dam between 1990 and 1994. In
conjunction with this work BC Hydro completed an extensive debris
clearing operation within the Jones Lake Reservoir.
The
Recreation Area associated with the Jones Lake Reservoir was developed
to ensure the public can enjoy the recreational aspects of the reservoir
in a safe environment. For your own safety you must obey all posted
hazard and warning signs as there is an extreme danger in and around
operating Hydro-electric facilities."
Jones
Lake is a beautiful and interesting recreation site (coupled with,
of course, some excellent fishing, hiking and family camping experiences)
and is well worth a stopover while visiting the Lower Mainland of
British Columbia.
Note:
Always check your current BC Fishing regulations before you start
fishing a new lake.
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History:
Upon arrival at the parking lot of the recreational site you will
notice a sign along with photos and diagrams that tells you the
story of BC Hydro's Jones Lake project. It reads: "The Jones Lake
Reservoir and the associated Wahleach Generation Station next to
the Fraser River, show how geography and climatic conditions play
a major part in the development of electric power in British Columbia.
The Wahleach Project was officially opened for power production
on 4 December 1952. When completed, the Project produced 13.5 %
of the electric power required by the British Columbia Electric
Company, a predecessor of BC Hydro. Although the Wahleach Generating
Station now supplies less than 1% of the electric requirements of
BC Hydro, it is nevertheless an important link in the production
of electric power close to the major load center in the Lower Mainland.
