Williams Lake | |
|---|---|
| City of Williams Lake | |
 Williams Lake's welcome sign | |
| Nicknames: BC's Stampede Capital, Mural Capital of the Cariboo Chilcotin | |
  Williams Lake Location in British Columbia | |
| Coordinates:52°07′45″N122°08′24″W / 52.12917°N 122.14000°W /52.12917; -122.14000 | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Region | Cariboo |
| Regional district | Cariboo |
| Incorporated | 1929 |
| Government | |
| • Governing body | Williams Lake City Council |
| • Mayor | Surinderpal Rathor |
| • Chief Administrative Officer | Gary Muraca |
| Area | |
| • Land | 33.13 km2 (12.79 sq mi) |
| • Census agglomeration | 2,656.73 km2 (1,025.77 sq mi) |
| • Population centre | 40.36 km2 (15.58 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 586 m (1,923 ft) |
| Population (2016) | |
• Total | 10,947 |
| • Density | 327/km2 (850/sq mi) |
| • Census agglomeration | 23,608 |
| • Census agglomeration density | 7/km2 (18/sq mi) |
| • Population centre | 11,906 |
| • Population centre density | 307.4/km2 (796/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−08:00 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−07:00 (PDT) |
| Forward sortation area | |
| Area codes | 250,778,236,672 |
| Highways |  Highway 97 Highway 20 |
| Website | williamslake |
Williams Lake is a city in theCentral Interior ofBritish Columbia, in the central part of a region known as theCariboo. Affectionately referred to as "Billy's Puddle" by locals,[3] Williams Lake is one of the largest cities, by population of metropolitan area, in the Cariboo after neighbouringQuesnel.[4] The city is famous for the Williams Lake Stampede, which is the second largest professionalrodeo in Canada, after only theCalgary Stampede.[5]
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Williams Lake is named in honour of Secwépemc chief William, whose counsel prevented theShuswap from joining theTsilhqot'in intheir uprising against the settler population.[6]
The story of Williams Lake (calledT'exelc by localFirst Nations communities of the region) begins as much as 4000 years ago.[7] The story of Williams Lake written by those coming into the region from outside begins in 1860 during theCariboo Gold Rush whenGold CommissionerPhilip Henry Nind andWilliam Pinchbeck, aconstable with theBritish Columbia Provincial Police, arrived fromVictoria to organize a local government and maintain law and order.
At the time, two pack trails led to the goldfields, one from theDouglas Road and the other through theFraser Canyon. They met at Williams Lake, which made it a good choice for settlers and merchants. By 1861, Commissioner Nind had built a government house and had requested the funds to build a jail. With the centre of local government being at Williams Lake, the miners and businessmen all had to travel there to conduct their business and soon the town had a post office, acourthouse, aroadhouse and the jail that Nind had requested. Meanwhile, William Pinchbeck had not been idle and had built his own roadhouse, saloon and store. Eventually he would own most of the valley.[8]
In 1863, the town was excited by the news of the construction ofCariboo Road, believing it would pass through their already established and important trading centre. However, the roadbuilderGustavus Blin Wright rerouted the original trail so that it bypassed Williams Lake and went through150 Mile House instead.[9]
The Williams Lake by-pass doomed the city and accusations flew that Gustavus Blin Wright had changed the route for his own personal benefit as he owned a roadhouse at Deep Creek along the new route. Regardless of Wright's motives, Williams Lake was forgotten and wouldn't be reborn until over half a century later in 1919 with the construction of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, laterBC Rail and nowCN Rail.[10]
On July 5, 1867, theRoman Catholic Church establishedSt. Joseph's Mission halfway between Williams Lake and 150 Mile House. In 1891, the mission opened anIndian residential school, called St. Joseph's School. The school became one of the most notorious Indian residential schools over the 90 years it operated. A St. Joseph's School reunion in 2013 in Williams Lake led to the creation ofOrange Shirt Day, a memorial to the victims of the Canadian Indian residential school system that is observed nationally. A memorial monument to the victims of the school was also erected in 2013, in Boitanio Park.[11][12][13][14][15]
In 1891, the subdistrict of Williams Lake had a population of 410.[16]
In July 2017, the province of British Columbia declared a state of emergency with more than 200 fires burning, mostly in the central region of the province. Residents from Williams Lake along with other communities in central British Columbia such asAshcroft and100 Mile House were given evacuation orders and most of those affected went to either Prince George or Kamloops.[17]
On August 15, 2022, the City of Williams Lake officially proclaimed the third week of August as LGBTQ2S Pride Week for the first time in the city's history, and raised the inclusive pride flag at city hall.[18]
The primary industries in Williams Lake areforestry,logging,sawmilling,mining andranching.
Timber has a long history in Williams Lake, dating back to the 1950s when many independent sawmills such as the Jacobson Brothers operated in town. In the 1990s and 2000s, the independent sawmills sold their businesses or merged to become larger operations. Currently,West Fraser Timber andTolko Industries operate sawmills in Williams Lake.[19][20][21]
TheGibraltar Mine is the second-largest open-pit copper mine in Canada, operated byTaseko Mines Limited. It is located just north of Williams Lake and employs many residents.[22]
Williams Lake has ahumid continental climate with warm summers. Spring is the driest time of year, and summer and winter are the wettest seasons respectively. Williams Lake receives about 2,000 hours of bright sunshine per year, which is more than most of the province. It is also located in therain shadow of the coastal mountains.
The lowest temperature ever recorded in Williams Lake was −42.8 °C (−45 °F) on 22 January 1943,[23] and the highest temperature ever recorded was 41.1 °C (106 °F) on 16 & 17 July 1941.[24] Williams Lake – along with Billings,[25] and nearbyMcLeese Lake[26] – holds the record for the highest maximum temperature ever recorded in the province during the month of September. This occurred on September 4, 1988.
The Williams Lake Airport weather station is at an elevation of 939.7 m (3,083 ft) while theWilliams Lake River weather station is at 585.2 m (1,920 ft), a difference of 354.5 m (1,163 ft). Thus the average temperature is significantly warmer in the city proper than the airport.
| Climate data for Williams Lake (Williams Lake River), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1939–2002[a] | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 16.0 (60.8) | 16.0 (60.8) | 22.5 (72.5) | 31.7 (89.1) | 38.0 (100.4) | 37.2 (99.0) | 41.1 (106.0) | 37.5 (99.5) | 39.0 (102.2) | 30.0 (86.0) | 18.0 (64.4) | 17.2 (63.0) | 41.1 (106.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −1.9 (28.6) | 2.6 (36.7) | 9.2 (48.6) | 14.7 (58.5) | 19.7 (67.5) | 23.0 (73.4) | 25.8 (78.4) | 25.9 (78.6) | 21.0 (69.8) | 12.6 (54.7) | 3.5 (38.3) | −2.2 (28.0) | 12.8 (55.0) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −5.9 (21.4) | −2.5 (27.5) | 2.6 (36.7) | 7.3 (45.1) | 12.1 (53.8) | 15.6 (60.1) | 17.9 (64.2) | 17.5 (63.5) | 13.1 (55.6) | 6.7 (44.1) | −0.2 (31.6) | −6.0 (21.2) | 6.5 (43.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −9.9 (14.2) | −7.5 (18.5) | −4.0 (24.8) | −0.2 (31.6) | 4.3 (39.7) | 8.1 (46.6) | 10.0 (50.0) | 9.2 (48.6) | 5.2 (41.4) | 0.8 (33.4) | −3.9 (25.0) | −9.7 (14.5) | 0.2 (32.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −42.8 (−45.0) | −38.3 (−36.9) | −30.0 (−22.0) | −17.8 (0.0) | −5.0 (23.0) | −1.7 (28.9) | 2.0 (35.6) | −2.2 (28.0) | −7.0 (19.4) | −25.0 (−13.0) | −37.0 (−34.6) | −41.7 (−43.1) | −42.8 (−45.0) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 31.7 (1.25) | 12.9 (0.51) | 15.3 (0.60) | 20.7 (0.81) | 35.6 (1.40) | 57.6 (2.27) | 60.5 (2.38) | 46.6 (1.83) | 37.5 (1.48) | 36.6 (1.44) | 36.7 (1.44) | 34.3 (1.35) | 425.9 (16.77) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 7.9 (0.31) | 3.7 (0.15) | 9.6 (0.38) | 18.5 (0.73) | 35.5 (1.40) | 57.6 (2.27) | 60.5 (2.38) | 46.6 (1.83) | 37.4 (1.47) | 34.9 (1.37) | 19.2 (0.76) | 3.9 (0.15) | 335.3 (13.20) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 23.8 (9.4) | 9.2 (3.6) | 5.7 (2.2) | 2.2 (0.9) | 0.1 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.0) | 1.7 (0.7) | 17.5 (6.9) | 30.4 (12.0) | 90.6 (35.7) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 8.4 | 5.6 | 6.6 | 8.4 | 12.1 | 15.0 | 13.6 | 11.8 | 9.9 | 12.5 | 10.2 | 9.4 | 123.4 |
| Average rainy days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 2.2 | 2.2 | 4.8 | 7.9 | 12.1 | 15.0 | 13.6 | 11.8 | 9.9 | 12.2 | 6.6 | 1.9 | 100.2 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.2 cm) | 7.2 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 4.9 | 8.1 | 27.9 |
| Source:Environment Canada[27][28][29] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data forWilliams Lake Airport, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1960–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record highhumidex | 12.2 | 19.6 | 18.2 | 28.0 | 33.9 | 41.0 | 36.2 | 36.4 | 35.6 | 26.8 | 16.1 | 10.6 | 41.0 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 12.8 (55.0) | 12.8 (55.0) | 18.9 (66.0) | 28.8 (83.8) | 34.5 (94.1) | 39.6 (103.3) | 34.4 (93.9) | 33.8 (92.8) | 35.8 (96.4) | 27.1 (80.8) | 16.7 (62.1) | 12.2 (54.0) | 39.6 (103.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −2.7 (27.1) | 0.8 (33.4) | 5.8 (42.4) | 11.0 (51.8) | 16.0 (60.8) | 19.5 (67.1) | 22.5 (72.5) | 22.2 (72.0) | 17.2 (63.0) | 9.7 (49.5) | 1.4 (34.5) | −3.5 (25.7) | 10.0 (50.0) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −6.7 (19.9) | −4.1 (24.6) | 0.3 (32.5) | 4.9 (40.8) | 9.6 (49.3) | 13.3 (55.9) | 16.0 (60.8) | 15.3 (59.5) | 10.6 (51.1) | 4.6 (40.3) | −2.3 (27.9) | −7.3 (18.9) | 4.5 (40.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −10.7 (12.7) | −8.9 (16.0) | −5.2 (22.6) | −1.3 (29.7) | 3.2 (37.8) | 7.0 (44.6) | 9.3 (48.7) | 8.3 (46.9) | 4.0 (39.2) | −0.6 (30.9) | −5.9 (21.4) | −11.0 (12.2) | −1.0 (30.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −42.2 (−44.0) | −34.6 (−30.3) | −31.7 (−25.1) | −16.7 (1.9) | −5.8 (21.6) | −4.0 (24.8) | 0.0 (32.0) | −1.7 (28.9) | −8.9 (16.0) | −28.6 (−19.5) | −41.6 (−42.9) | −42.8 (−45.0) | −42.8 (−45.0) |
| Record lowwind chill | −46.8 | −45.3 | −39.9 | −21.8 | −12.0 | −4.1 | 0.0 | −2.8 | −11.0 | −35.2 | −49.6 | −52.2 | −52.2 |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 33.1 (1.30) | 18.6 (0.73) | 17.9 (0.70) | 22.2 (0.87) | 39.1 (1.54) | 58.6 (2.31) | 52.7 (2.07) | 46.1 (1.81) | 41.8 (1.65) | 41.0 (1.61) | 42.2 (1.66) | 37.6 (1.48) | 450.7 (17.74) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 4.6 (0.18) | 2.0 (0.08) | 3.9 (0.15) | 13.2 (0.52) | 36.0 (1.42) | 58.3 (2.30) | 52.7 (2.07) | 46.1 (1.81) | 41.2 (1.62) | 32.6 (1.28) | 14.2 (0.56) | 2.9 (0.11) | 307.6 (12.11) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 36.9 (14.5) | 21.1 (8.3) | 17.5 (6.9) | 10.2 (4.0) | 3.3 (1.3) | 0.3 (0.1) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.6 (0.2) | 9.4 (3.7) | 33.0 (13.0) | 44.5 (17.5) | 176.8 (69.6) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 12.0 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 9.1 | 12.6 | 14.8 | 13.1 | 10.8 | 10.5 | 11.9 | 12.5 | 12.8 | 137.4 |
| Average rainy days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 1.8 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 6.2 | 12.0 | 14.8 | 13.0 | 10.8 | 10.5 | 10.2 | 4.6 | 1.5 | 89.4 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.2 cm) | 11.1 | 8.0 | 6.8 | 4.4 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.4 | 9.7 | 12.3 | 58.0 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 75.1 | 62.1 | 47.2 | 41.0 | 40.8 | 44.0 | 41.6 | 41.1 | 45.6 | 56.7 | 72.8 | 77.4 | 53.8 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 58.6 | 97.4 | 154.6 | 198.0 | 248.8 | 242.4 | 283.5 | 273.4 | 199.2 | 123.8 | 60.3 | 45.8 | 1,985.8 |
| Percentagepossible sunshine | 22.8 | 34.9 | 42.1 | 47.5 | 51.2 | 48.5 | 56.3 | 60.1 | 52.3 | 37.4 | 22.8 | 18.9 | 41.2 |
| Source:Environment Canada[30] | |||||||||||||
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In the2021 Canadian census conducted byStatistics Canada, Williams Lake had a population of 23,608 living in 4,736 of its 5,066 total private dwellings, a change of1.8% from its 2016 population of 10,753. With a land area of 33.12 km2 (12.79 sq mi), it had a population density of330.5/km2 in 2021.[31] According to the same census, Williams Lake had acensus agglomeration population of 23,608.[32]
Below is the ethnic origin of people from the Williams Lakecensus agglomeration, as of the2006 Canadian census. Note that percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses e.g. German-East Indian, Norwegian-Irish-Polish.[33]
In the thirty-year period between 1986 and 2016, the population of Williams Lake has been largely stable, growing slightly from 10,280 to 10,753.
| Panethnic group | 2021[36] | 2016[37] | 2011[38] | 2006[39] | 2001[40] | 1996[41] | 1991[42][43] | 1986[44][45]: 111 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
| European | 7,140 | 66.67% | 7,535 | 72.98% | 7,655 | 72.18% | 8,240 | 77.74% | 8,385 | 76.44% | 8,170 | 78.94% | 7,990 | 77.8% | 7,720 | 76.28% |
| Indigenous | 2,615 | 24.42% | 2,045 | 19.81% | 2,120 | 19.99% | 1,435 | 13.54% | 1,445 | 13.17% | 915 | 8.84% | 1,060 | 10.32% | 1,050 | 10.38% |
| South Asian | 425 | 3.97% | 405 | 3.92% | 395 | 3.72% | 700 | 6.6% | 925 | 8.43% | 1,015 | 9.81% | 1,035 | 10.08% | 1,165 | 11.51% |
| Southeast Asian | 195 | 1.82% | 100 | 0.97% | 65 | 0.61% | 30 | 0.28% | 45 | 0.41% | 20 | 0.19% | 35 | 0.34% | N/A | N/A |
| East Asian | 175 | 1.63% | 110 | 1.07% | 355 | 3.35% | 140 | 1.32% | 115 | 1.05% | 180 | 1.74% | 130 | 1.27% | 175 | 1.73% |
| Others | 150 | 1.4% | 125 | 1.21% | 0 | 0% | 55 | 0.52% | 70 | 0.64% | 50 | 0.48% | 20 | 0.19% | 10 | 0.1% |
| Total responses | 10,710 | 97.84% | 10,325 | 96.02% | 10,605 | 97.9% | 10,600 | 98.66% | 10,970 | 98.36% | 10,350 | 98.83% | 10,270 | 98.89% | 10,120 | 98.44% |
| Total population | 10,947 | 100% | 10,753 | 100% | 10,832 | 100% | 10,744 | 100% | 11,153 | 100% | 10,472 | 100% | 10,385 | 100% | 10,280 | 100% |
| Religious group | 2021[46] | 2011[38] | 2001[40] | 1991[42] | 1981[47][b] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
| Irreligion | 6,475 | 60.46% | 5,165 | 48.7% | 3,535 | 32.22% | 3,210 | 31.26% | 1,470 | 17.86% |
| Christianity | 3,655 | 34.13% | 4,950 | 46.68% | 6,385 | 58.2% | 5,905 | 57.5% | 5,890 | 71.57% |
| Sikhism | 320 | 2.99% | 370 | 3.49% | 840 | 7.66% | 1,035 | 10.08% | 850 | 10.33% |
| Hinduism | 45 | 0.42% | 10 | 0.09% | 10 | 0.09% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| Indigenous Spirituality | 40 | 0.37% | 40 | 0.38% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Buddhism | 25 | 0.23% | 25 | 0.24% | 15 | 0.14% | 10 | 0.1% | 10 | 0.12% |
| Islam | 25 | 0.23% | 0 | 0% | 40 | 0.36% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| Judaism | 15 | 0.14% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| Other | 105 | 0.98% | 55 | 0.52% | 135 | 1.23% | 105 | 1.02% | 0 | 0% |
| Total responses | 10,710 | 97.84% | 10,605 | 97.9% | 10,970 | 98.36% | 10,270 | 98.89% | 8,230 | 98.42% |
| Total population | 10,947 | 100% | 10,832 | 100% | 11,153 | 100% | 10,385 | 100% | 8,362 | 100% |
Williams Lake is served byCariboo-Chilcotin School District 27. It has five public elementary schools teaching up to grade 6 and three StrongStart BC centres. These are Cataline Elementary (Cataline Strong Start Centre), Chilcotin Road Elementary, Marie Sharpe Elementary (Marie Sharpe StrongStart Centre), Mountview Elementary (Mountview StrongStart Centre), Nesika Elementary. There is also SD 27 OR#1 Wildwood, a StrongStart Outreach Centre. One secondary school, Lake City Secondary School, which was formed by an merger ofColumneetza Secondary School andWilliams Lake Secondary School in 2013, teaches grade 7 to 12 students. Alternative education provision is met by theGraduation Routes Other Ways (GROW) centre and theSkyline Alternate School program. TheGROW Centre offers grades 10–12 for adults.[48][49] Anne Stevenson Secondary School was closed in 2003 due to falling numbers of students.[49]
There are threeindependent schools in Williams Lake: Sacred Heart Catholic School (K-7), Maranatha Christian School (K-12) andCariboo Adventist Academy (K-12).[48]
Thompson Rivers University has a campus in Williams Lake and offers a wide variety of programs and courses including university transfers, certificate and diploma programs, health and safety certification, trades and technology, and university and career preparation.[50] The Cariboo Chilcotin Elder College is a local affiliate of Thompson Rivers University that offers programs and opportunities for people who are 50 years of age and older and interested in participating in the programs, courses and special events run by the college.[51]
Williams Lake is an incorporated municipality, with representation provided through the Williams Lake City Hall. Its mayor is Surinderpal Rathor, who has served in this role since 2022.[52] The city council consists of seven elected positions: the mayor and six council members. The council member serve 4-year terms.[53]
Williams Lake is located within theCariboo-Chilcotin electoral district of theBritish Columbia Legislative Assembly. The riding is represented byConservativeMLALorne Doerkson since 2020.[54]
Williams Lake lies within theCanadian parliamentaryriding ofCariboo—Prince George, and is currently represented byConservativeMPTodd Doherty since 2015.[55]
TheWilliams Lake Airport is located 4.2nautical miles (7.8 km; 4.8 mi)[57] northeast of the city. It was opened in 1956 byTransport Canada and on January 1, 1997, the ownership of the airport was transferred to the City of Williams Lake. The airport is served byPacific Coastal Airlines, andCentral Mountain Air with daily flights to Vancouver. There was a smallseaplane base atWilliams Lake Water Aerodrome but it is no longer in operation.
Held annually, on the Canada Day long weekend, the Williams Lake Stampede features Canadian Professional Rodeo Association[58] action includingbull riding,barrel racing,Bareback riding,tie-down roping,steer wrestling,team roping andchuckwagon races. The Williams Lake Stampede plays host to many topcowboys and internationalrodeo competitors from Canada and the United States, most of which continue on the circuit to theCalgary Stampede, the following weekend.
The Stampede festivities also include a parade of floats from local organizations, such as4-H groups, native bands, community service groups, the stampede royalty and local merchants. There is also a carnival with rides and games located near the stampede grounds.
Scout Island, which is 9.69 ha (23.9 acres) in size, is both a park and a nature area. It consists of a beach, picnic area, boat launch and several trails through mainly natural environment. Scout Island is actually two islands that are connected to the west end of Williams Lake by a causeway.
Located on the island is the Nature House, which provides a view of the marsh next to the island. It is run by the Williams Lake Field Naturalists and provides information, displays and programs dealing with the local environment.
The island is leased to Williams Lake by the owners, the Nature Trust of British Columbia.[59]
There was aLoran-C station at Williams Lake.
Places adjacent to Williams Lake, British Columbia | |
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Williams Lake travel guide from Wikivoyage| Geographic | |
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| Other | |
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