Pigeon Lake (Alberta)

Infobox lake
lake_name = Pigeon Lake
image_lake = Pigeon Lake Alberta Canada 04A.jpg
caption_lake = Looking west over Pigeon Lake at sunset.
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Central Alberta
coords = coord|53|01|13|N|114|03|09|W|region:CA-AB_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow = Pigeon Lake Creek
catchment = km2 to mi2|187|abbr=yes
basin_countries = Canada
length =
width =
area = km2 to mi2|96.7|abbr=yes
depth =
max-depth = m to ft|9.1|abbr=yes
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities =

Pigeon Lake is a large lake in central Alberta, Canada. It is a popular recreation lake, with some shores boasting sandy beaches and others having steeper banks that are less suitable to "beach activities". Pigeon Lake is located close to large communities such as Edmonton, Leduc and Wetaskiwin. It lies in two counties, Leduc County and Wetaskiwin County.

The lake has a total area of km2 to mi2|96.7|abbr=yes and a maximum depth of m to ft|9.1|abbr=yes. It has a catchment area of km2 to mi2|187|abbr=yes, [ [http://sunsite.ualberta.ca/Projects/Alberta-Lakes/view/?region=North%20Saskatchewan%20Region&basin=Battle%20River%20Basin&lake=Pigeon%20Lake&number=96 Atlas of Alberta Lakes] - Pigeon Lake] and is an early tributary of the Battle River, to which it is connected through the Pigeon Lake Creek.

It was called "Woodpecker Lake" until 1858, from "Hmi-hmoo" (or "Ma-Me-O"), the Cree word for woodpecker. In 1858 the name was changed to Pigeon Lake.

Conservation

The Pigeon Lake Provincial Park is established on the western shore of the lake

Development

Pigeon Lake is one of the most intensely used recreational areas in Alberta, with lots surrounding much of the lake, and over 2,300 private cottages, 10 summer villages and 9 hamlets established on its shores. Among the communities dotting the lake contour, the most prominent are the Ma-Me-O Beach, Silver Beach and Grandview areas, with Westerose, Norris Beach, Poplar Bay, Fisher Home, Mission Beach, Sundance Beach, Itaska Beach, Golden Days, and Argentia Beach. The lake is easily accessed through Highway 13, east of Highway 20.

ee also

*Lakes of Alberta
* Rundle's Mission

References