Landscape Photography Magazine

Forests, icy lakes, rivers, snow covered peaks, an Alpine landscape under glowing sunrise light, and freezing temperatures. If this is your kind of scenery, then you are in good hands; Bruce Smith will take you to the right place

The Kootenay Plains lie along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains of central Alberta, Canada.  They feature mountains, rivers, forests, wildlife, consistently dry conditions (less snowfall), magnificent scenery and the most prominent feature, Abraham Lake. Part of the area is an ecological reserve, with limited motorised access.

Abraham Lake was formed by the creation of the Bighorn Dam on the North Saskatchewan River, which is part of the eastward drainage from the Columbia Ice fields of the Rocky Mountains. The dam was built in 1972 for the generation of hydro-electric power, and the resulting lake measures 32 kilometres in length, the largest man-made lake in Alberta. Highway 11 is a lovely, paved, 2-lane highway which follows the northwest shore of the lake.

Why Kootenay Plains and Abraham Lake?

I have visited Abraham Lake and the area of Kootenay Plains a few times in the past year, in late winter, then in the fall, and again in winter; the area has an amazing beauty no matter what time of year. As it is a bit off the beaten path, it gets far…