Elk/Beaver Lake - Capital Regional District

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park
The large freshwater ecosystem of this park provides year round
habitat for a diversity of flora and fauna and a wide variety of water
and land based recreational opportunities for all ages and skill levels,
from amateurs to Olympians.
Park Features
•
beaches, picnic areas, nature centre and fishing float for people
with walking disabilities
•
large freshwater lake for swimming, canoeing and fishing
•
walking and equestrian trails through forest and field
•
wildlife viewing
Wildlife
Open water is the habitat of many species; Mergansers, Canada geese
and buffleheads share the calm surface. Overhead, eagles and osprey
hunt rainbow trout, smallmouth bass and pumpkin-seed sunfish. The
wetland serves as a transition from lake to shore. River otters swim
among yellow pond lilies, and red-winged blackbirds balance on cattails. The grassland is a quiet refuge. Savannah sparrows share the
serenity with Columbian black-tailed deer. The forest is lush with life.
Cottonwood, Pacific crabapple and red alder shelter red-legged frogs
and provide homes for cavity-nesting birds. Douglas-fir and western
red cedar form a canopy for yellow warblers and chestnut-backed
chickadees. The lucky may hear a screech owl at dawn.
Trail Rating: Easy | Size: 443 hectares | Hours: sunrise to sunset
Cultural History
Nature Centre
For thousands of years, the Coast Salish people inhabited the
Saanich Peninsula. The Songhees and the Saanich used the area
for hunting, fishing and collecting plants. Camas bulbs were eaten
as root vegetables; cat-tail leaves were used to weave baskets;
licorice ferns were gathered for cold remedies; and cottonwood gum
made excellent waterproofing for baskets. In the 1850s, the Saanich
Peninsula was purchased from the Coast Salish people for 386 wool
blankets.
Regional Parks’ staff and volunteer naturalists can answer your
questions and point you in the right direction on the trails. Check out
the interpretive displays on the park’s natural and cultural history.
Recreational Opportunities for All Ages and Abilities
Beaver Beach has a sandy beach perfect for a swim and picnic, and to
launch a canoe and explore the islands. This popular swimming area
features an accessible parking area, paved trails and accessible toilets.
The Filter Beds area contains group picnic sites, and access to quiet
woodland trails. You can use the nearby ponds for retriever training,
or the Equestrian Centre to exercise and train your horse. Both these
areas are under licence agreements; consult your local retriever or
equestrian clubs for access.
At Eagle Beach, swim, picnic under the willow trees, launch your
scull from the Rowing Centre, or hike to Beaver Lake. Brookleigh boat
launch provides visitors of all abilities with easy and safe access to
their boats. The toilet facility is also accessible. Cast your line from the
accessible ramp and fishing float at Elk Lake. The parking area and
toilet facility are also accessible.
The playground at Hamsterly Beach enables children in wheelchairs
to move up a ramp into the centre of the playground. Other accessible
features include a drinking fountain, toilets and picnic tables. Wind
surfing, sailing, and fishing are popular.
10 Kilometre Trail is mostly flat and level, with some narrow and
uneven sections on the east side of Elk Lake.
Elk/Beaver Lake
REGIONAL PARK
In 1872, Elk/Beaver Lake became the water source for Greater Victoria.
Elk and Beaver Lakes, once separate, were joined when Colquitz Creek
was dammed. In 1896, filter beds were constructed after Victoria
residents complained of fish and tadpoles in their drinking water. The
lake remained a water source for some areas of the region until 1977.
How to Get There
Follow the Pat Bay Highway from Victoria, and take the Royal Oak
Drive exit. Turn left on Royal Oak Drive to cross over the highway, then
right on Elk Lake Drive to reach the park entrance on the left.
Public Transportation
BC Transit bus #70 or #72.
Capital Regional District | Regional Parks
490 Atkins Avenue
Victoria, BC
Canada V9B 2Z8
tel: 250:478.3344
email: crdparks@crd.bc.ca
www.crd.bc.ca/parks
Elk/Beaver Lake is the most intensively
used of all regional parks, and offers
the greatest diversity of year-round
water and land-based activities.
Old
To Swartz Bay
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Elk / Beaver Lake
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El
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Regional Park
Water Ski
Beach
Hamsterly
Beach
Fishing Pier
hR
Elk
Lake
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Be a r H
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Oldfield Rd
Brookleigh Rd
w o od Rd
Rd
Ha m s t e r
Brookleigh
Boat Launch
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Capital Regional District
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Maximum 10 hp
Boating Zone
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Boat Launch
Playground
Group Picnic Shelter
Nature Centre
Changeroom (seasonal)
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Toilet
Accessible Toilet
* Beaver Beach, Eagle Beach, and Hamsterly Beach Toilets
Open April to November
Eagle
Beach
va n s
Re
Cre ek
Summit
Road
Hiking Trail
10 KM Route
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Driv
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Equestrian
Centre
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G oward S p ri
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Filter Beds
Governor
General
Area
Elk / Beaver Lake Regional Park
Bear Hill Regional Park
Built Facility or Parking Lot
125
250
500
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Keep your dog under control and on the trail
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Pick up your dog’s droppings
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Leave no trace and carry out litter
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Smoking, motorized vehicles, camping, open
fires and alcohol are prohibited in the park
Boating Regulations
Transport Canada Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations
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Maximum 10 horsepower vessels permitted
on Beaver Lake and east half of Elk Lake.
•
Over 10 hp permitted on the west half of Elk
Lake except within 30 metres of north shore.
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Power vessel towing waterskiers or equipment prohibited between sunrise-11am.
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All watercraft prohibited on the east half of
Elk Lake during swimming events.
•
Over 10 horsepower vessels prohibited
during rowing events.
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A permit from Transport Canada is required
for lake events. 250.478.3344 | crd.bc.ca/
parks/elkbeaver.
•
Boating regulations are enforced by Saanich
Police 250.475.4321.
Important Notice
750
Rd
To Victoria
•
Submerged cable 2 m below water adjacent
to rowing course.
•
The water level of Elk Lake fluctuates and
submerged stumps may be encountered
close to shore.
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Swimming not advised at waterski beach.
Metres
Projection: UTM ZONE 10N NAD83
DISCLAIMER
Important This map is for general information purposes only.
The Capital Regional District (CRD) makes no representations or
warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of this map
or the suitability of the map for any purpose. This map is not
for navigation. The CRD will not be liable for any damage, loss
or injury resulting from the use of the map or information on
the map and the map may be changed by the CRD at any time.
Riv
er
Retriever
Area
Rd
H a li b
North
Beach
Beaver
Beach
to n
0
Elk Lake Dr
R
d
Do not remove or disturb animals or plants,
such as wildflowers
Lake / Reservoir
Clare mont Ave
Beaver
Lake
Co
lq u
it z
ic h
Tow
a an
a
tS
Be
W
es
River / Creek
B ay Hwy
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e
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Contour (20m interval)
Patricia
ne
n
Li n n e t L a
Stay on designated trails
Hiking/Equestrian Trail
Hiking/Equestrian/Cycling Trail
L in
•
Rd
Elk Lake
Rowing Centre
Doyle Rd
Information
y
Over 10 hp
Boating Zone
rd
Parking
Park Etiquette
July 2010
I
RP_website_EBL_BW.mxd
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www.crd.bc.ca
Help Stop the Spread of Invasive Species:
Remove all lake weeds from boat and trailer
before entering and after leaving the water.