Aishihik Lake, Mountain lake in Yukon, Canada
Aishihik Lake is located in Yukon and surrounded by mountain ranges that rise to approximately 1013 meters. The northern section features shallow bays that serve as fish spawning grounds, while the surrounding landscape remains wild and undeveloped.
The United States Army built an airport near the lake during Alaska Highway construction, which the Department of Transport operated until the 1960s. After that time, the facility was abandoned but remains a reminder of the region's military past.
The lake lies within the traditional territory of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. The Southern Tutchone name Äshèyi refers to the end of the mountain range. The Aishihik herd of northern mountain caribou, a distinct ecotype of woodland caribou, migrates around the lake; in 2009 it numbered 2,044 animals and was increasing.
The lake is accessible via connecting routes from the Alaska Highway, with camping options available near the water. The warmer months offer the best conditions for visiting, when roads are more accessible and outdoor activities are easier to pursue.
The Aishihik dam, built in 1975 at the lake's south end, feeds a 37-megawatt hydroelectric plant where the Aishihik River leaves the lake. The lake itself covers 147.47 km², reaches about 120 m deep and lies at 930 m elevation, staying ice-covered from October to June.
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