The Empty Canal

I’ve lived in Lillooet since I was about three years old (over 40 years!), except for a short stint in Pritchard (near Kamloops) and I’ve never seen the Seton Lake Canal empty!  On Saturday Hubby and I drove in and I took some pictures.  They are doing repairs and will reopen the Canal on May 6th, I’m going to try to be there when they open the gates.

On the way in we passed a few deer hanging out close to the road near U-Pick Gardens.

This one has a mosquito near her nose.  The deer are pretty ratty right now while shedding their winter coat.

They ended up hiding behind the trees and bushes so we moved on.

A view of Cayoosh Creek from high up on the Duffy Lake Road.

A view of the empty canal.  The water in the Canal carries a very strong current and it’s dangerous to go near the water.  When I was a kid I remember the day my Dad fell in, and it was only the grace of God and my Uncle Jack who saved him!  It still gives me goose bumps when I think of that day!  I might not have the story too accurate as I was pretty young, but I remember Dad telling me he had just bought new boots and had the laces tied up so he was desperately trying to get his boots off and clawing at the sides of the Canal.  His fingernails were almost gone and he couldn’t get a grip when Uncle Jack threw him a rope and pulled him out.

The Bridge over the Canal.

The next few pics I was standing on the bridge.  Here you can see the gates holding back a massive amount of water.

Workers down in the Canal.  (To see a close-up of the workers visit my flickr site).

Before heading up Texas Creek we stopped and took a pic of a lone goat high up on the mountain.  I curse myself for not bringing my tripod and this was the best pic I could get.  The white goat is lying down under the small tree.

A few pics from Mitchell’s corner on Texas Creek Road.  Ainsworth Lumber (recently bought by Aspen Planers) is in the background.

I call this bridge Texas Creek Bridge but I was recently informed the official name is “Turnbull Bridge.” (Thanks Gale).

I snapped this one while we were driving across the bridge.

It was quite the interesting day and I do hope to be there when they open the gates on May 6th… just got to find out the time. :)

For more pics visit the Canal collection at my flickr site.