Until the late 1990s, the City of Fort St. John used Charlie Lake as a primary water source. Today, while the City no longer draws water from the lake, we maintain the Charlie Lake Weir, which includes an uncontrolled metal dam, an earth-filled weir, and a boat launch for public lake access.
Additionally, a monument is dedicated to the twelve soldiers who lost their lives as part of constructing the now world-famous Alaska Highway. In May 1942, a US Corp of Engineers Pontoon Barge carrying seventeen soldiers and equipment across Charlie Lake sank, taking the lives of twelve soldiers. A trapper, Gus Hedin, saw it happen and rescued five of the 17 men making three trips in his homemade rowboat.
Boat Launch Information
- Use at your own risk
- Monitor changing water levels
- May not be suitable for launching large watercraft
- Avoid power loading boats (using your engine to load and unload)
- No overnight parking
Alternative boat launches are available at Beatton Provincial Park and Charlie Lake Provincial Park