Serene and inviting on those rare windless days, Abraham Lake more often than not is adorned in white caps. It was dammed in 1972 after construction of the Bighorn Dam, a massive earthen / rock dam built on the North Saskatchewan River. The dam is 90 meters high and the resulting reservoir at 33 km in length is the longest man made lake in Alberta and usually shows its best in late summer and fall when it is filled to the rim. Lake level can fluctuate 40 meters between low in spring and high in late summer.

Unfortunately, the very interesting information centre at the base of the dam is closed much of the year. Providing information about the dam and hydroelectric power station, it has some interesting displays on David Thompson’s early exploration of the area.

Because of high and sudden wind and wave action, unstable shorelines, submerged rocks and glacier cold waters, Abraham Lake is not suitable for boating or swimming.

Full day and overnight canoe trips are available above and below the lake with Voyageur Ventures and Wandering Waters Canoe Tours.