Nechako Reservoir, reservoir in British Columbia, Canada
The Nechako Reservoir is a large body of water in British Columbia covering nearly 900 square kilometers, formed by the merger of several former lakes and river sections. The shorelines display forests, rocky areas, and calm water, with the reservoir branching into multiple bays and arms.
The reservoir was created in the 1950s when Kenney Dam was built in 1952 to supply water for an aluminum smelter in Kitimat. The flooding displaced more than 75 families and destroyed numerous First Nations cultural sites, including over 130 archaeologically significant locations.
The reservoir takes its name from the Nechako River, derived from First Nations languages. The area remains connected to the Haisla Nation and Cheslatta Carrier Nation, whose histories and traditions are woven into this water and land.
The reservoir is most accessible in summer when trails and shores are easy to reach, while snow makes access difficult in winter months. Visitors should bring warm clothing, as nights stay cool even in warmer seasons and weather can change quickly.
The reservoir connects to a 10-kilometer tunnel that diverts water directly to the Kemano power station on the coast, where it generates electricity. This engineering solution redirects the Nechako's flow underground and represents a remarkable feat of 20th-century construction.
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