Ghost Lake (Alberta)

Infobox lake
lake_name = Ghost Lake
image_lake = Ghost Lake-aerial01.Alberta.CA.jpg
caption_lake = Looking down on the lake & the Bow River
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Alberta
coords = coord|51|12|00|N|114|45|00|W|​display=inline,title|region:CA-AB_type:waterbody
type = reservoir
inflow = Bow River, Ghost River
outflow = Bow River
catchment = km2 to mi2|6460|abbr=yes|precision=0
basin_countries = Canada
length = km to mi|13.5|abbr=yes|precision=1
width = km to mi|1.4|abbr=yes|precision=1
area = km2 to mi2|11.6|abbr=yes|precision=1
depth = m to ft|14.5|abbr=yes|precision=1
max-depth = m to ft|34|abbr=yes|precision=0
volume =
residence_time =
shore = km to mi|32|abbr=yes|precision=0
elevation = m to ft|1188|abbr=yes|precision=0
islands =
cities = Cochrane, Alberta
frozen =

Ghost Lake is a glacier fed man-made lake in Western Alberta, Canada, formed along the Bow River. It is located approximately 45 km west of the city of Calgary and immediately west of Cochrane.

The lake lies in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of m to ft|1188|abbr=yes|precision=0 and is lined on the north shore by Highway 1A. Trans-Canada Highway passes a short distance to the south. It was formed in 1929 with the completion of the Ghost Dam, and was developed on land leased from the Morley Indians by Calgary Power Ltd. The lake and dam are primary used for power generation. Calgary Power changed its name to TransAlta Utilities in 1981.

The lake freezes in December until approximately mid May. Sport fish include Lake Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Lake Whitefish and Brown Trout. Large fluctuations in water level due to power generation affect the recreational opportunities and biological productivity of the lake. The volume of water being released from the lake and the variance thereof also affect the Bow River downstream of the dam.

The lake has a water mirror of km2 to mi2|11.6|abbr=yes|precision=1 and a drainage basin of km2 to mi2|6460|abbr=yes|precision=0Cite web|url= http://sunsite.ualberta.ca/Projects/Alberta-Lakes/view/?region=South%20Saskatchewan%20Region&basin=Bow%20River%20Basin&lake=Ghost%20Reservoir&number=110 |title=Atlas of Alberta Lakes: Ghost Reservoir|author=University of Alberta|authorlink=University of Alberta|accessdate=2008-01-13] The average depth of the lake is m to ft|14.5|abbr=yes|precision=1, and it reaches a maximum of m to ft|34|abbr=yes|precision=0

The location brings consistent, strong winds, which make the lake suitable for Sailing and Iceboating. The Ghost Lake Iceboat Club, the premier Iceboat club in Western Canada is located at Ghost Lake. Ghost Lake was also selected as the swimming venue for the inaugural Ironman Calgary 70.3. Ghost Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area was established on the northern shore of the lake.

References

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