Sylvan Lake (Alberta)

This article is about the lake. For the town, see Sylvan Lake, Alberta.

Sylvan Lake
Location	Lacombe County / Red Deer County, Alberta
Coordinates	52°21′19″N 114°09′19″W
Primary outflows	Sylvan Creek → Red Deer River
Basin countries	Canada
Max. length	10.1 km (6.3 mi)
Max. width	11.5 km (7.1 mi)
Surface area	42.8 km2 (16.5 sq mi)
Average depth	9.6 m (31 ft)
Max. depth	18.3 m (60 ft)
Surface elevation	974 m (3,196 ft)
Settlements	Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake is a large lake in central Alberta, Canada. The resort town of Sylvan Lake is established on the shores of the lake, west of the city of Red Deer.

Sylvan Lake is a mesotrophic lake with a total area of 42.8 km² (16.5 sq mi), and a maximum depth of 18.3 m (60 ft). It lies at an elevation of 974 m (3,196 ft).

Development and conservation

Wild Rapids Waterslides on the shore of Sylvan Lake

Six communities are developed adjacent to the shores of Sylvan Lake. The Town of Sylvan Lake is located on the southeast shore, while five summer villages – Sunbreaker Cove, Birchcliff, Jarvis Bay, Norglenwold and Half Moon Bay – are adjacent to the lake's northeast and southwest shores.

Sylvan Lake is one of the most popular recreational areas in Alberta, with over 1.5 million visitors per year. Water based recreational activities include boating, dragon boat racing, swimming, windsurfing, water skiing in summer and ice fishing, skating and snowmobiling during the winter months. Wild Rapids Waterslides, formerly one of the largest waterslide parks in Alberta, is located on the shore of the lake within the Town of Sylvan Lake, but has ceased operations as of 2016.

Sylvan Lake Provincial Park and Jarvis Bay Provincial Park are established on the eastern shores.

See also

• Lakes of Alberta

References

A pier on Sylvan Lake at sunset