Type reservoir Primary outflows Bow River Basin countries Canada Area 11.6 km² Mean depth 14 m Cities Cochrane | Primary inflows Catchment area 6,460 km (2,490 sq mi) Surface elevation 1,188 m Length 13.5 km Province Alberta | |
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Location Bighorn No. 8 / Rocky View County, Alberta Similar Big Hill Springs Provincial, Bow Lake, Hector Lake, Glen Reservoir, Vermilion Lakes | ||
Ghost Lake is a glacier fed man-made lake in Western Alberta, Canada, formed along the Bow River. It is located approximately 45 km west of the city of Calgary and immediately west of Cochrane.
Map of Ghost Lake, AB, Canada
The lake lies in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 1,188 m (3,898 ft) and is lined on the north shore by Highway 1A. Trans-Canada Highway passes a short distance to the south. It was formed in 1929 with the completion of the Ghost Dam, and was developed on land leased from the Morley Indians by Calgary Power Ltd. The lake and dam are primarily used for power generation. Calgary Power changed its name to TransAlta Utilities in 1981.
The lake freezes in December until approximately mid May. Sport fish include Lake Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Lake Whitefish and Brown Trout. Large fluctuations in water level due to power generation affect the recreational opportunities and biological productivity of the lake. The volume of water being released from the lake and the variance thereof also affect the Bow River downstream of the dam.
The lake has a water surface of 11.6 km2 (4.5 sq mi) and a drainage basin of 6,460 km2 (2,490 sq mi) The average depth of the lake is 14.5 m (48 ft), and it reaches a maximum of 34 m (112 ft)
The location brings consistent, strong winds, which make the lake suitable for Sailing and Iceboating. The Ghost Lake Iceboat Club, the premier Iceboat club in Western Canada is located at Ghost Lake. Ghost Lake was also selected as the swimming venue for the inaugural Ironman Calgary 70.3. The summer village of Ghost Lake and the Ghost Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area were established on the northern shore of the lake.