Lower Kananaskis Lake is a natural lake that was turned into a reservoir in Kananaskis Country in Alberta , Canada .
8-653: Lower Kananaskis Lake is in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park along with the Upper Kananaskis Lake . The lake is part of a series of natural and man made reservoirs in the Kananaskis and Bow Valleys used for hydro electric power, flood control , and water reserves for the Bow River water users such as the city of Calgary. The lake is also used for recreational activities, with hiking paths surrounding
16-671: Is within Alberta's Rocky Mountains . The park was originally named Kananaskis Provincial Park , but was renamed after Peter Lougheed , premier of Alberta from 1971 to 1985, when he retired in 1986. One of the largest provincial parks in Alberta , it encompasses 304 square kilometres (117 sq mi) around Kananaskis Lakes . The park provides amenities for camping and fishing along with trails for hiking , mountain biking , horseback riding and cross-country skiing . There are six vehicular access campgrounds and six backcountry campgrounds in
24-590: The Kananaskis Valley to direct people away from ranchlands. Bill Milne challenged the provincial government to consult the public about the highway upgrade, and a resulting survey showed public support for a large protected area. Legend says Premier Lougheed created the park after a single helicopter flight over the area arranged by Milne and Copithorne. The park was dedicated on September 22, 1978. The park has seven automobile accessible campgrounds, totaling 546 campsites, as well as six backcountry campgrounds, with
32-564: The area that is now Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, was home to many Indigenous Peoples including the Stoney-Nakoda , Kootenai , Siksika , Kainai , Peigan , and Tsuut’ina people. Much of the land currently within the park was previously part of Rocky Mountains National Park, but was removed in 1911, and eventually turned over to the Government of Alberta. The land was developed in numerous ways, with hydroelectric dams being constructed in
40-403: The lake (and cross-country skiing trails in the winter). Several campgrounds are located along Kananaskis Lake. Canyon Campground does not have camping spots backing on to the lake, but a lakeside picnic area is available. Lower Lakes Campground does not have spots backing on to shores of Lower Kananaskis Lake either. A network of bicycle trails connects the campgrounds and picnic areas. Most of
48-399: The modern park boundaries. By the 1970s, the eastern slopes of the rockies faced more pressure as people from Calgary searched for recreation outside of the city. Key people in creating the park were Bill Milne, a Calgary architect and environmentalist and Alberta Highways Minister and area MLA Clarence Copithorne . Clarence Copithorne was a rancher and planned to upgrade the road access into
56-642: The park. Wildlife living in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park include grizzly bears , black bears , elk , deer , moose , bighorn sheep , cougars , lynx , Rocky Mountain wolves and the occasional mountain goat . Some of the most popular backpacking trips in Kananaskis Country are in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. The Northover Ridge is a two-to-four-day backpacking trip, as is the North and South Kananaskis Pass. Prior to European contact,
64-552: The year, these are open to the public, but they are closed sometimes due to bears presence in the area. Interlakes Campground is the highest lying campground, and lakeside spots for this campground are available. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is in Kananaskis Country about 90 kilometres (56 mi) west of Calgary , along the Kananaskis Trail in Alberta , Canada. This park
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