Capilano Lake, lake in British Columbia, Canada
Capilano Lake is a reservoir in British Columbia that stretches about 5 kilometers and sits between North Vancouver and West Vancouver. The water comes mainly from the Capilano River and is controlled by Cleveland Dam at the southern end, which separates the reservoir from the river system.
Water from the lake was first piped into Vancouver in 1889 to support the growing city. Cleveland Dam was constructed in 1954 to create a large reservoir that could reliably supply the expanding population.
The name comes from the Squamish word meaning small salmon river mouth, reflecting the area's origins. Today the lake symbolizes how cities depend on protected natural spaces to sustain their populations.
The area around the lake is closed to the public to protect water quality, but free parking is available near Cleveland Dam for visitors. From there you can walk across the dam and enjoy views of the reservoir and surrounding forest.
The lake has served as a filming location, standing in for fictional places in television series like The 4400 and The X-Files. This unexpected Hollywood connection makes it more than just a water utility, adding a layer of pop culture significance to the landscape.
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