Peyto Lake

Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake seen from Bow Summit
Location Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Coordinates 51°43′37″N 116°31′19″W / 51.72694°N 116.52194°W / 51.72694; -116.52194Coordinates: 51°43′37″N 116°31′19″W / 51.72694°N 116.52194°W / 51.72694; -116.52194
Type Glacial
Primary inflows Peyto Creek
Primary outflows Mistaya River
Basin countries Canada
Max. length 2.8 km (1.7 mi)
Max. width 0.8 km (0.50 mi)
Surface area 5.3 km2 (2.0 sq mi)
Surface elevation 1,860 m (6,100 ft)

Peyto Lake (/ˈpiːtoʊ/ PEE-toh) is a glacier-fed lake in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The lake itself is easily accessed from the Icefields Parkway. It was named for Bill Peyto, an early trail guide and trapper in the Banff area.[1]

The lake is formed in a valley of the Waputik Range, between Caldron Peak, Peyto Peak and Mount Jimmy Simpson, at an elevation of 1,860 m (6,100 ft).[2]

During the summer, significant amounts of glacial rock flour flow into the lake, and these suspended rock particles give the lake a bright, turquoise colour. Because of its bright colour, photos of the lake often appear in illustrated books, and the area around the lake is a popular sightseeing spot for tourists. The lake is best seen from Bow Summit, the highest point on the Icefields Parkway.[3]

The lake is fed by Peyto Creek, which drains water from Caldron Lake and Peyto Glacier (part of the Wapta Icefield). Peyto Lake is the origin of the Mistaya River,[4] which heads northwest from the lake's outflow.

References

  1. ↑ Banff National Park | Lake Louise to Bow Summit
  2. ↑ W., Boles, Glen (2006). Canadian mountain place names : the Rockies and Columbia Mountains. Laurilla, Roger W., 1959-, Putnam, William Lowell., Putnam, William Lowell. Place names of the Canadian Alps. Calgary, Alta.: Rocky Mountain Books. ISBN 9781894765794. OCLC 244770225.
  3. ↑ Peyto Lake, The Canadian Rockies Archived 2008-04-22 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ MISTAYA CANYON and PEYTO LAKE: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada: ALONG THE ICEFIELD PARKWAY

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