Vancouver Island’s Sproat Lake has claimed the title of B.C.’s Best Lake from almost 50 contenders in a CBC readers poll and while it was a close race, the area’s mayor is not at all surprised.
Sproat Lake, a sprawling fresh-water 37 square kilometre lake near Port Alberni, was victorious over Shuswap Lake in the province’s southern Interior in a final round of voting.
Voting was held July 24 to Aug. 2 as CBC used brackets to pare down a list of 48 lakes to a final two contenders to establish the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) winner.
It was a cliff-hanger final round as Sproat Lake won by just 120 votes — 51.2 per cent over 48.8 per cent for Shuswap. Final standings in the showdown were: Sproat, Shuswap, Kalamalka, Garibaldi, Okanagan, Cowichan, Alouette and Emerald.
Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions spent summers as a child with her mom on Sproat Lake and attended Sproat Lake Elementary. The mayor was thrilled but not shocked that Sproat is now wearing the crown. “We already knew Sproat was B.C.’s best lake but we’re thrilled to have it formally recognized,” said Minions.
Nestled by three provincial parks — Pacific Rim, Fossli, and Taylor Arm, with more than 300 kilometres of forested shoreline — Sproat Lake is on the territories of the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations, formerly known a Kleecoot, translated as “wide open.”
“It’s an incredible lake with so much to enjoy,” said Minions. “It’s definitely a point of pride for the Alberni Valley and a huge draw for visitors.
The cross-shaped lake is dotted by cottages and cabins, passed down through generations of families , along others available for rent. Locals deight in knowing the private coves and places others may not find.
Jolleen Dick, CEO of the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce, called it a family-friendly place and an economic driver with both tourist and local traffic. “We love our community,” said Dick. “We won title of Ultimate Fishing Town in 2012 and Most Rider-friendly town (for motorcycles) in 2017.”
The lake is also home to the Martin Mars water bombers, aircraft that once scooped water from the lake to fight forest fires.
CBC reporter Justin McElroy described the contest on Twitter as a fun competition “and hopefully a way for people to have silly arguments and show some pride for their favourite lake in this neat province.” He had Minions push him into the body of water from a boat as the finale to the contest.
The title of Best Lake comes at a good time for the region following months of road closures along Highway 4 — which connects Port Alberni to Tofino and Ucluelet and the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nation — due to the Cameron Bluffs wildfire above the highway.
Fire debris clean-up continues in the area and while the fire is deemed under control.
There’s single-lane alternating traffic near the Cameron Bluffs wildfire this long weekend.
ceharnett@timescolonist.com
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