Doug Ward
Sun
Lisa Sherman (right) and friends enjoy the sun at Buntzen Lake on Friday. Rising water levels at the summertime hangout due to a BC Hydro construction project may cause the lake to be closed to the public until November. Photograph by: Jason Payne, PNG, Vancouver Sun
It could be the scariest thing to hit Buntzen Lake since celluloid villains Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees disrupted the idyllic lake’s serenity in the 2003 movie Freddy vs. Jason.
BC Hydro announced this week that Buntzen Lake, a favourite for families on hot weekends, may face closures this summer due to high water.
The Buntzen powerhouse on Indian Arm, which regulates the lake’s water levels, will be out of service until November while a turbine is replaced.
Buntzen Lake, located north of Ioco, 30 kilometres from Vancouver, is a BC Hydro reservoir.
The reservoir’s water level is already higher than normal, with much of South Beach already underwater.
This didn’t stop people from enjoying the warm temperatures Friday afternoon at Buntzen Lake.
There were about 30 people late in the afternoon at South Beach, cooking hotdogs on barbecues, playing volleyball, swimming off the dock and floating in inflatable boats and canoes.
Lisa Sherman, a university student from Port Coquitlam, sat with friends in chairs on the submerged beach, playing cards, their feet dangling in the water.
“It’s a different experience with the water this high. But it’s still the beach and you get wet anyways,” said Sherman.
“I hope they don’t close it because last summer we were here three times a week.”
Meanwhile, Mimi Beyene shouted at her three-year-old not to get too close to the water, which is about 20 metres higher than usual.
“It would be a shame if they have to close it because it’s a gorgeous place.
“The first time we came out here I was shocked because we only live 10 minutes away in Port Moody.”
Joannie Sutter of Port Coquitlam took her boat out into the lake and went swimming in the cold water.
She said any closures during the summer would be a loss for the nearby communities of the northeast sector.
“Everybody likes it here. The water is fairly clean, there’s places to go hang out and be quiet away from the beach,” said Sutter.
“I kayak here, I fish here, I float on tubes here.”
Sheri Van Eyden, a Coquitlam resident, said she was startled to see the water so high. “I would miss it if it closes. It’s close by and when you come up here in the summer, the parking lots get closed because they are so full.
“I don’t know where all the people are going to go.”
BC Hydro has posted signs at the entrance to the lake, which warn:
– All sand on the South Beach may be underwater.
– The North Beach and grass area may be closed.
– The board launch, access road and turnaround may be closed.
– Sections of the Buntzen Lake Trail may be closed.
– Some docks may be closed. The 4.8-km-long lake, once known as Lake Beautiful, was named after Johannes Buntzen, the first general manager of B.C. Electric Co. in 1903. The Buntzen hydroelectric project provided the first hydroelectric power to Vancouver.
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