Hatzic Lake
| Hatzic Lake | |
|---|---|
| Location | Mission, British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 49°10′30″N 122°14′35″W / 49.17500°N 122.24306°WCoordinates: 49°10′30″N 122°14′35″W / 49.17500°N 122.24306°W |
| Lake type | oxbow lake |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 3.7 km (2.3 mi) |
| Islands | 1 (Hatzic Island) |
Hatzic Lake is an oxbow lake adjoining the Fraser River on the east side of Mission, British Columbia, Canada, immediately below that district municipality's neighbourhood of Hatzic, which is on a benchland above and to the west of the lake. Its waters subject to flood control, it is no longer natural as the land in the centre of the oxbow, Hatzic Island, is a relatively densely populated suburban and recreational community. The length of the lake, on its north-south axis, is approximately 3.7 km, while Hatzic Island is approximately 2.6 km in length, with the widest parts of the lake off the northern end of the oblong island at about 775 m. The width of the lake inclusive from its extreme west to east is about 2.5 km. BC Highway 7 and the mainline of the Canadian Pacific Railway cross its southern end, just south of the southernmost parts of Hatzic Island.
The west shore of the lake is in the District of Mission, while the rest is unincorporated area, including Hatzic Island, municipal-type services for which are administered by the Fraser Valley Regional District. North of the lake the floodplain is called Hatzic Prairie an agricultural area which continues northwards between the uplands of Mission Municipality (W) and the bulk of Dewdney Peak (E), which is known locally as Hatzic Mountain and includes the small settlement of Durieu.
The lake is very shallow and warm and is popular for swimming, water sports and water-skiing and in addition to a large number of private residences has a few commercial campgrounds. A municipal park is located on the western shore of the lake within the District of Mission.
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