Alouette Lake, formerly Lillooet Lake, is a unique and scenic reservoir in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. It is nestled at the southeastern foot of the majestic Golden Ears mountain group and stretches about 16 km on a northeast-southwest axis. In 1914, the Alouette River and Lake were changed to avoid confusion with another river and Lake further north that shared the same name, the Lillooet River. The new name “Alouette,” French for “lark,” was chosen for its melodic quality and similarity in tone to the original name.
Much of the Alouette Lake basin remains unlogged, with its northern flank protected within Golden Ears Provincial Park. Due to the district’s unique rectangular boundary, a small portion of the Lake’s northwestern shore falls within the District of Mission. The northern end of the Lake extends beyond both municipalities.
Alouette Lake was only 2 km long and dramatically changed in 1928 when the Alouette Dam was built. The dam, located 11.5 km along the upper reaches of the South Alouette River, created a 1,067-meter-long tunnel connecting Alouette Lake to Stave Lake. This tunnel feeds the Alouette Powerhouse, an 8 MW power station operated by BC Hydro, located along the west shore of Stave Lake. The reservoir’s primary purpose is to channel water through the tunnel between Mounts Crickmer and Robie Reid rather than to house a powerhouse at the dam.
Alouette Lake offers various recreational facilities, including a large public beach, picnic site, and campground on its western shore. These amenities are part of the provincial park, making the Lake a popular destination for outdoor activities.