Jasper Lake (Alberta)

Jasper Lake Sand Dunes

A distinctive feature of the lake is the Jasper Lake Sand Dunes, the only sand dune ecosystem in the Canadian Rockies.

The dunes were formed at the edge of the lake during the last ice age and have been constantly reshaped by wind and water ever since. Acting as a kind of sieve, the lake removes silt and sand from the river, allowing it to sink to the lake bed. When the water level recedes in the fall, vast sand flats are exposed and dry out, becoming vulnerable to the strong westerly winds that sweep through the lower Athabasca Valley. In winter, these winds blow the sand and silt down the valley, forming two large dune islands near the northwest shore of Jasper Lake. In the lee of the dunes, mature clumps of spruce and balsam poplar have gained a foothold, with colonizing grasses, rose bushes and willows.

Surrounded by mountains

The lake is surrounded by mountain ranges, many of which can be seen from various parts along the lake. From southeast to southwest:

• Miette Range. Most prominent peaks include Utopia Mountain (2602 m) and Roche Miette (2316 m).
• Jacques Range. Prominent peaks: Cinquefoil Mountain (2259 m), Roche Jacques (2603 m), and Mount Merlin (2711 m).
• Colin Range: Peaks include Mount Colin (2687 m) Northwest to northeast:
• Victoria Cross Ranges—so named because six of the peaks are named after Canadian recipients of the Victoria Cross.
• De Smet Range. Prominent peaks include: Roche de Smet, (2539 m) and Mount Greenock (2065 m).
• Bosche Range: Mount Aeolus (2643 m) and Roche à Bosche (2123 m)

Transportation corridors

The Canadian National Railway skirts the northwestern shore of the lake. Parts it have been built on causeways away from the shore, which have created several ponds. Via Rail's passenger train the Canadian uses this same CN line for part of its journey between Toronto and Vancouver, giving passengers up-close views of the lake, sand dunes, and surrounding mountains. This area has been the site of many CN publicity photographs—including of the Super Continental—through the years, and it is still popular with photographers, railfans, advertisers, and passengers.

The Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) skirts the southeastern shore of the lake, built on the abandoned grade of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, and it too has segments of its route on causeways, which have created Edna and Talbot lakes. This highway is the main east-west route through Jasper National Park.

References

References

1. Gadd, Ben. (1995). "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies". Corrax Press.
2. (24 April 2009). "Jasper Lake Sand Dunes".
3. "Range search".
4. "The Super Continental".
5. "Super Continental at Jasper Lake".
6. (January 1, 1985). "Jasper National Park/ Parc national Jasper". Canada Surveys and Mapping Branch, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources Canada.