Kelly Lake
Kelly Lake is located approximately 80 km (50 mile) south from Dawson Creek via Highway 2, Highway 52, and Kelly Lake Road. The area is forested with a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees and a number of small lakes like the Gauthier, Foster and Twin lakes which are all connected by Steeprock Creek. The residents live mostly between Kelly and Gauthier lakes, along Kelly Lake Road, Gauthier Lake Road, or Kelly Lake Sub.
The community of Kelly Lake was created as Cree-speaking Metis families migrated westward from Lac Ste. Ann near Edmonton, Red River Valley, and Quebec. In 1911 the federal government surveyed district lots around their residences along the lake. A surveyor labeled the lake “Fritton Lake” but it has since been changed back. The Kelly Lake School opened in 1923 with 12 students. The only road from Kelly Lake went to Hythe, Alberta until 1973 when Kelly Lake Road was cleared leading to the Heritage Highway. Health concerns prompted an environmental study here which led to the construction of a community sewage disposal system in the 1990s. Following the closure of the Kelly Lake School all youth are transported daily to Hythe for classes and the school building was made into a community centre. There is little agriculture in the area, but due to its isolation trapping and hunting has been prevalent. Since the mid-1990s logging and oil and gas drilling has surrounded the community. In 2007 the community consists of about 50 people.
Community Facilities
| Facility | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solid Waste Transfer Site | 280 Kelly Lake Road | 16 acre site includes bulky waste collection by PRRD |
| Community Lagoon | 280 Kelly Lake Road | |
| Kelly Lake Church | Plan B7729 DL 344, 52 Kelly Lake Rd | 1.5 acre site |
| Community Centre | 107 Kelly Lake Road, DL 314 | 4.5 acre site, former school |
| Community Hall | Lot A, Plan 18436, DL 309 | .8 ha (2 acres) |
Visitor Comments
I am very interested to know how many people live in Kelly Lake now. I am a status Metis with two degrees (Sociology& English) and am looking to relocate. I am wondering if someone with my education could make a difference in your community. It seems a shame that children are having to be bussed out of the community in order to get adequate schooling. I have lived on reserve amongst both the Tahltan and the Haida so I am familiar with aboriginal culture. I have a friend who lives on reserve near Hythe,
The demographic and history as noted on your website is somewhat innacurate. My people are very concerned about the rural community official plan.
please contact my assistant to set up a meeting with my leadership as soon as possible to discuss issues for the Kelly Lake Cree Nation.
Her email is lhodges@klcn.ca she handles Environmental and Land Use Management at KELLY LAKE.