Stampede |
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The Heart |
Stampede |
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The Heart |
Williams Lake remains a bright spot in the Central Interior of British Columbia, offering an easy, pleasant lifestyle, four full seasons, gentle population growth, and a stable economy. The City's geographical location makes Williams Lake the distribution and supply point for a large area of the Cariboo-Chilcotin. For the estimated 40,000 people in the surrounding rural area, Williams Lake is "downtown."
The City is located in a valley 586 metres (1992 ft.) above sea level. Has an average rainfall of 40cm (16 in.) and snowfall of 145cm (57 in.) Average July temperature is 22'C. (71.6'F.), January -10'C. (14'F.) Growing season is primarily between late May to mid September averaging 120 frost free days.
A central point on the busy British Columbia Railway, Williams Lake is also located at the intersection of Highway 97, the lifeline for the north central interior and Highway 20, which stretches westward 500 kilometres across the Chilcotin Plateau and down into the Bella Coola Valley on the Pacific Ocean.
For the past 30 years, lumbering has been the main contributing factor to the well being of Williams Lake. Forestry is the primary industry in Williams Lake. Beef ranching is the principle agricultural activity in the area. For Williams Lake, mining became an industrial force again in 1972 when Gibraltar Mines, the second largest copper mine in Canada, went into production with an investment of $72 million.
Recently, there have been several major projects completed or considered for Williams Lake. Imperial Metals Mount Polley project, a gold/copper mine is now operational. The giant Prosperity "Fish Lake" Mine, ranking among the world's largest undeveloped gold and copper resources, is hopeful to finalize their Environmental Assessment Permit. The $150 million Williams Lake Generating Plant was completed in 1993 and is in full production, utilizing wood waste to produce 66 megawatts of electricity, sold primarily to B.C. Hydro.
The beautiful rolling hills, clean air and clear lakes of this part of British Columbia prove irresistible to the tourist and as a result rates high as a stabilizing industry for Williams Lake. It is estimated that four million tourist dollars are spent in the City each year with an additional $8 million in the surrounding area. The City's principle tourist attraction is the famed Williams Lake Stampede, the second largest rodeo in Canada and now over sixty years old as a continuing event. Another yearly function that has been attracting more and more tourists is the Annual Cariboo Fall Fair held in September in conjunction with the Interior Rodeo Association finals.
And if you live in Williams Lake, just outside your front door is the wonderful and still unspoiled outdoor world of the Cariboo-Chilcotin.
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