Lower Kananaskis Lake is a natural lake

Lake

A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...

 that was turned into a reservoir

Water reservoir

A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...

 in Kananaskis Country in Alberta

Alberta

Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...

, Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

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Lower Kananaskis Lake is in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is a provincial park located in Alberta, Canada. The park is located in Kananaskis Country approximately 90 km west of Calgary, along the Kananaskis Trail....

 along with the Upper Kananaskis Lake

Upper Kananaskis Lake

Upper Kananaskis Lake is a natural lake that was turned into a reservoir in Kananaskis Country in Alberta, Canada.Upper Kananaskis Lake is located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park along with the Lower Kananaskis Lake....

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The lake is part of a series of natural and man made reservoirs in the Kananaskis and Bow Valley

Bow Valley

Bow Valley is a valley located along the upper Bow River in Alberta, Canada.The name "Bow" refers to the reeds that grew along its banks and which were used by the local First Nations peoples to make bows; the Peigan name for the river is "Makhabn", meaning "river where bow weeds grow".-Parks:Bow...

s used for hydro electric power, flood control, and water reserves for the Bow River water users such as the city of Calgary.

The lake is also used for recreational activities, with hiking

Hiking

Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...

 paths surrounding the lake (and cross-country skiing trails in the winter).

Camping

Several campgrounds can be found along Kananaskis Lake. Canyon Campground does not have camp spots backing on to the lake, but a lakeside picnic area is available. Lower Lakes Campground does not have spots backing on to shores of Lower Kananaskis Lake either. A network of bicycle trails connects the campgrounds and picnic areas. Most of the year, these are open to the public, but they are closed sometimes due to bears presence in the area. Interlakes Campground is the highest lying campground, and lakeside spots for this campground are available.