W.A.C. Bennett Dam

The W.A.C. Bennett Dam, one of the world's biggest earth-filled dams, is 24 km (15 mi.) west of Hudson's Hope and reached via a scenic side-road. The W.A.C. Bennett Dam, which is 2 km (11/4 mi.) long, 183 m (601 ft) high, and up to 830 m (2724 ft) thick at its base, was completed in 1967 and holds back the 362 km (225 mi.)-long Williston Lake in the Rocky Mountain Trench.

Until recently, the 1646sq.km/635sq.mile artificial lake had hardly been opened up for tourism, but more and more water-sports enthusiasts are now making their way here. Anglers can charter boats as well. The W.A.C. Bennett Dam Visitor Center gives information about hydro-electric power generation and the construction of the enormous dam, and on working days there are guided tours of the power station. Open Victoria Day-Labor Day. From May to September there is a good view of it from a lookout point on the west side of the dam.

From Hudson's Hope the highway follows the Peace River north wards, mostly high above the steep banks, and after 76 km (47 mi.) reaches the Alaska Highway 13 km (8 mi.) north of Fort St John.