Columbia Lake
Columbia Lake is located in the Columbia Valley in southeastern British Columbia. The Lake has several small tributaries originating in the Selkirk Mountains to the west and the Rocky Mountains to the east. Columbia Lake constitutes the primary headwaters for the Columbia River. Columbia Lake is mentioned in different correspondences all having to do with the Kootenay Gold Rush. For example, in this correspondence, Seymour reports the discovery of gold on the Kootenay River to Cardwell and expresses his concern about its proximity to the United States and its distance from New Westminster.1 Seymour suggests possible routes to connect the mines to more populated centers within the colony, one route being the Columbia River via steam navigation up to its source in Columbia Lake, which are close to the Kootenay diggings.2
Mentions of this place in the documents