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Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park

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Coordinates: 48°31′19″N 123°23′56″W / 48.522°N 123.399°W / 48.522; -123.399
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Not to be confused with Elk Lakes Provincial Park.

The Elk/Beaver Regional Park is a 1,072 acres (4.34 km2) park in Saanich, British Columbia, containing Elk Lake and Beaver Lake.

Elk/Beaver Lake was known as the "Freshwater Playground of Victoria" in its heyday, the 1930s and 1940s. However, with the completion of the Pat Bay highway in the 1950s, focus turned ‘green’ and measures were taken to start restoring the park to its natural state and protecting it. In 1966 Elk/Beaver Lake became a regional park.

History

In the 1850s, traders purchased the entire Saanich Peninsula from the Coast Salish people for 386 wool blankets. After Canada became a unified nation, the land became government property and fell under the jurisdiction of the province of British Columbia. In 1873, foundation stones were laid to construct a dam at the south end of Beaver Lake so that the two lakes could eventually be used as a drinking water supply for the city of Victoria.[1] Two years later water started flowing from the lakes into Victoria and the previous supply company, the Spring Ridge Water Works Company, was dissolved.[1] However, by the turn of the century population growth in Victoria meant that the water supply from the lakes was inadequate. In the years from 1913 to 1915, the Sooke Flowline was constructed to draw city water from the new Sooke Reservoir.

Current day

Today, the park is managed by the Capital Regional District. Because it is protected area, it does not serve as a residential area. It is home to many species of wildlife. Plant species include: breadroot (which is a rare species and is also known as slender woolyheads), licorice ferns, yellow pond lilies, cattail reeds, cottonwood, pacific crabapple, red alder, Douglas fir, and western red cedar. Some common animal species are: mergansers, Canada geese, buffleheads, bald eagles, osprey, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, river otters, red-winged blackbirds, Savannah sparrows, Columbia black-tailed deer, red-legged frogs, yellow warblers, chestnut-backed chickadees, screech owl, and lastly, the giant bullfrog, which is an invasive species and a huge concern.[2][3]

The equestrian centre is located on the west side of the lake. Fishers are a common sight on Elk/Beaver Lake. With no camping allowed, families come out for a Saturday morning hike on the easy trails around the lake or a Sunday picnic and swim at one of the beaches. A 10 km trail around Elk and Beaver Lakes is popular with the local running community; it serves as the course for a yearly ultramarathon series.[4] The Victoria City Rowing Club boathouse is located on the southeast corner of Elk Lake.

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park taken in February 2013
  • Hiking trail at the park
    Hiking trail at the park

References

  1. ^ a b "Chronological City History". Victoria Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  2. ^ "BC Frogwatch Program". British Columbia Ministry of Environment. Retrieved 2014-06-06.
  3. ^ "Bullfrogs threaten B.C. ecosystems". Canadian Geographic. Retrieved 2014-06-06.
  4. ^ "Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club". Retrieved 2014-06-06.

48°31′19″N 123°23′56″W / 48.522°N 123.399°W / 48.522; -123.399

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