Tag Archives: buntzen lake

Buntzen Lake in the Snow

February 25, 2014Buntzen Lake Blogbuntzen lake, hike, scenic, snowadmin

Over the weekend, we had a nice snowfall. And today, I decided to hike around Buntzen Lake in the snow.

It was a gorgeous sunny day with very few hikers on the trail – I think I saw two or three. Even though it was sunny, the snow was melting from the trees giving me a nice shower ! I didn’t have the foresight to bring my waterproof hat ! Below is a photo of me hiking in the snow.

Following the weekend weather, there were many branches on the trail, which I helped to remove and I also shook low hanging branches to clear the snow. Below is a photo of me at North Beach.

And below is the bridge/jetty (old floating bridge area)…

After over 100 times hiking around the Lake, this is my first time in the snow. The sunny day made it just perfect. Great photo ops. Below is a photo of the Lake from the old floating bridge…

I had taken my new micro spikes, but they kept slipping off – I guess that’s what you get for buying the cheap ones ! I was alright anyways – not too much slipping ! Below is a serene photo of the snowy trail…

Here is a view of the lake from the dog park on south beach…

The Old Buntzen Lake Pipeline: Photos and History

December 15, 2013Buntzen Lake Blogbuntzen lake, Diez Vistas, hike, pumphouseadmin

While hiking around Buntzen Lake, you may have noticed sections of an old metal pipeline running through the forest. I’ve come across it many times over the years, particularly near the pumphouse at the southern end of the lake and along the lower section of the Diez Vistas Trail.

It might look like an abandoned piece of industrial infrastructure, but this pipeline has an interesting history. It once carried freshwater from Buntzen Lake to the Burrard Thermal Generating Station in Port Moody, approximately 6 km to the south.

During my hikes, I’ve photographed several sections of the old pipeline, including its joints, fittings, and some rather unusual structures.

What Was the Buntzen Lake Pipeline Used For?

The pipeline supplied freshwater to the Burrard Thermal Generating Station, a natural gas-fired power plant on the shores of Burrard Inlet in Port Moody.

The pumphouse at Buntzen Lake, shown below, was part of the system that delivered water to the generating station.

The Buntzen Lake pumphouse, photographed during one of my visits.

The freshwater supply served several important purposes at Burrard Thermal, including:

Boiler make-up water for steam generation.
Fire protection.
Domestic and potable water supply.
Other plant cooling and utility services.

Boiler make-up water was particularly important. Burrard Thermal burned natural gas to produce steam, which drove turbines connected to electrical generators. Water lost from the steam system had to be replaced with treated freshwater.

The plant also used seawater from Burrard Inlet for major cooling operations. The freshwater pipeline from Buntzen Lake served a different purpose from the large saltwater cooling system.

Below is one of my photographs of the Burrard Thermal Generating Station.

Burrard Thermal Generating Station in Port Moody.

The Original Above-Ground Pipeline

According to my original research, the old pipeline had a diameter of approximately 20 cm (8 inches). It was subsequently replaced by a larger underground pipeline with a nominal diameter of 30 cm (12 inches).

Interestingly, increasing the pipe diameter from 20 cm to 30 cm provides approximately 2.25 times the cross-sectional area. That is a substantial increase in potential water-carrying capacity, although the actual flow also depends on factors such as pumping pressure, pipe length, and friction losses.

The old pipeline followed portions of the forested terrain around the southern end of Buntzen Lake. Some sections were above ground, making them easy to recognize.

Here are two photographs of the old pipeline that I took while exploring the area.

A section of the original above-ground pipeline.

Another view of the old pipeline.

The Pipeline on the Diez Vistas Trail

One of the more noticeable sections of the old pipeline was on the lower portion of the Diez Vistas Trail, where the route climbs through the forest on the western side of Buntzen Lake.

BC Hydro’s historical trail descriptions specifically mention hikers crossing the powerline corridor and pipeline before beginning the steep switchbacks.

In the photograph below, you can see where a section of the old pipeline was removed to provide clearance for the trail. Fortunately, that meant we didn’t have to do the limbo every time we hiked past it!

The old pipeline where it crossed the Diez Vistas Trail.

Some Interesting Pipeline Features

During my explorations, I also came across some unusual features of the old pipeline.

An Unusual Apparatus

The photograph below shows an interesting metal apparatus attached to the pipeline. I’m not certain what its function was, but fittings like these can form part of a pipeline’s flow-control, pressure-management, or maintenance systems.

Without engineering drawings or identifying markings, I wouldn’t want to guess exactly what this particular piece of equipment did.

An unusual piece of equipment attached to the old pipeline.

A Much Larger Cylindrical Structure

Near the pumphouse, I found something even more intriguing. The smaller pipeline appears to emerge from a much larger cylindrical metal structure.

In my original notes, I recorded the larger section as approximately 75 cm (30 inches) in diameter and 25 m long.

At the time, I wondered whether it had something to do with preventing water from flowing backwards. However, I have never confirmed its actual purpose.

It could have served a protective or other engineering function, but identifying it properly would require historical plans or information from someone familiar with the original water supply system.

The old pipeline emerging from a larger cylindrical structure near the pumphouse.

Pipeline Couplings

One of my favourite detail photographs shows the metal clamps connecting sections of the pipeline.

These mechanical couplings help join individual pipe sections. Depending on their design, they can also facilitate maintenance and accommodate small amounts of movement.

A closer look at the pipeline’s coupling clamps.

What Happened to Burrard Thermal Generating Station?

When I originally published this article in December 2013, Burrard Thermal was still operating, although the provincial government had already announced plans to end electricity generation by 2016.

That closure did take place in 2016.

According to BC Hydro, Burrard Thermal was built in 1960 and had an installed generating capacity of approximately 950 megawatts. It was one of the largest natural gas-fired generating stations in British Columbia.

Although electricity generation ended in 2016, the facility did not simply shut down completely. Some of its electrical equipment continued providing voltage support to the Lower Mainland transmission system.

A Major Update in 2026

On 27 January 2026, BC Hydro presented plans to Port Moody City Council for the eventual dismantling and remediation of much of the former generating station.

The proposed work includes removing major generating equipment, boilers, buildings, and parts of the marine cooling-water infrastructure.

Under the schedule presented in January 2026, major decommissioning work was expected to begin in 2028, with dismantling and restoration continuing into the 2030s, subject to regulatory approvals.

However, there was one particularly interesting detail for this article: BC Hydro indicated that the freshwater supply system from Buntzen Lake would be retained.

In other words, although the original above-ground pipeline was replaced long ago and the generating station no longer produces electricity, the connection between Buntzen Lake and the former Burrard Thermal property remains part of BC Hydro’s infrastructure plans.

For more information about the proposed dismantling, see the February 2026 report by Tri-Cities Dispatch.

Not to Be Confused With the Buntzen Hydroelectric Penstocks

Buntzen Lake has another, much older connection to electricity generation.

Long before Burrard Thermal was constructed, water from Buntzen Lake was being used to generate hydroelectricity at the northern end of the lake.

The original Buntzen No. 1 Powerhouse began operating in 1904, and Buntzen No. 2 followed in 1914. Large pipes known as penstocks carried water downhill from the lake to the generating stations beside Indian Arm.

These penstocks are entirely different from the smaller freshwater pipeline shown in my photographs.

The distinction is interesting:

The Burrard Thermal pipeline: Used pumps to transport freshwater south from Buntzen Lake to the natural gas-fired generating station in Port Moody.
The Buntzen hydroelectric penstocks: Carry water from the northern end of Buntzen Lake downhill to hydroelectric generating equipment beside Indian Arm, using the pressure created by the elevation difference.

Both systems are part of the industrial history of Buntzen Lake, but they were designed for very different purposes.

For more about the early hydroelectric developments, see my article on the history of Buntzen Lake.

Interesting Facts

The pipeline supplied a natural gas-fired power plant. Unlike the hydroelectric stations at the northern end of Buntzen Lake, Burrard Thermal generated electricity by burning natural gas to produce steam.
Freshwater and seawater served different purposes. Freshwater from Buntzen Lake was used for boiler make-up and other plant services, while seawater from Burrard Inlet was used in the plant’s major cooling system.
The replacement pipeline was substantially larger. Based on the nominal diameters recorded in my original article, increasing the diameter from 20 cm to 30 cm provided approximately 2.25 times the cross-sectional area.
The original exposed pipeline became part of the hiking landscape. Historical trail descriptions refer to the Diez Vistas Trail crossing the pipeline before the steep climb up Buntzen Ridge.
Burrard Thermal stopped generating electricity in 2016. However, electrical equipment at the property continued providing voltage support to the Lower Mainland transmission system.
The freshwater supply system is being retained. During BC Hydro’s January 2026 presentation on the planned dismantling of Burrard Thermal, the freshwater supply system from Buntzen Lake was identified as infrastructure that would remain.
Buntzen Lake has supplied two very different types of generating stations. Its water has supported both hydroelectric generation at Indian Arm and the former natural gas-fired Burrard Thermal plant in Port Moody.

A Reminder of Buntzen Lake’s Industrial Past

Most people visit Buntzen Lake for the beaches, forests, and hiking trails, but there is a tremendous amount of industrial history hidden among the trees.

Old pipelines, hydroelectric equipment, abandoned foundations, transmission structures, and other remnants are reminders that the area has been used for electricity generation for more than a century.

I’ve photographed several other examples in my article on industrial decay around Buntzen Lake.

The photographs in this article were taken during my earlier explorations. Pipeline sections and other structures may have been removed, modified, or become inaccessible since then. Please respect posted signs, remain on designated trails, and stay clear of restricted utility infrastructure.

It’s fascinating to think that something as ordinary as a rusty old pipe in the forest once helped support one of the largest generating stations in British Columbia.

Mushrooms and Fungi Around Buntzen Lake

October 12, 2013Buntzen Lake Blogbuntzen lake, Diez Vistas, fungi, fungus, hike, mushroom, natureadmin

The forests around Buntzen Lake provide excellent growing conditions for an amazing variety of mushrooms and other fungi. With all the rain, damp forest floors, moss-covered logs, and decaying trees, there’s no shortage of places to find something interesting.

I’m a fun guy, but I’m certainly not a fungi expert! Over the years, I’ve photographed all sorts of mushrooms while hiking the trails around Buntzen Lake, particularly on the Diez Vistas and Lakeview trails.

October and November are especially good months for mushroom photography, when autumn rains encourage many species to produce their fruiting bodies. However, fungi can be found throughout the year, and some of the most interesting ones are easy to overlook.

Below are some of my mushroom photographs. I haven’t attempted to identify every species, so if you’re knowledgeable about fungi and recognize any of them, feel free to leave a comment!

Mushrooms Growing on Trees

Some of the most impressive fungi I’ve encountered have been growing directly out of tree trunks, logs, and old stumps.

The photograph below shows a group of mushrooms growing along the side of a tree. Many wood-decaying fungi produce mushrooms in clusters, sometimes appearing to emerge from the bark itself.

A group of mushrooms growing along the side of a tree.

The next photograph shows just how extensively mushrooms can spread across a tree trunk. It almost looks as though they’ve taken over the whole tree!

Mushrooms covering a substantial section of tree trunk.

And here’s another impressive collection growing from an old stump. Dead wood is an important habitat for fungi, providing both moisture and an abundant supply of organic material.

A stump providing an excellent home for fungi.

More Mushrooms Along the Trails

One thing I’ve noticed while hiking around Buntzen Lake is the variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. Some mushrooms grow individually, while others appear in groups. Some have the familiar mushroom shape, but others look quite unusual.

Here are three more examples I’ve photographed during my hikes.

Wild mushrooms photographed along a forest trail near Buntzen Lake

Close-up of a wild mushroom growing in the Buntzen Lake forest

Another wild mushroom encountered while hiking around Buntzen Lake

The visible mushrooms are actually just the reproductive structures of many fungi. Much of the organism can be hidden inside wood or beneath the forest floor as a network of fine threads called mycelium.

When conditions are favourable, the fungus produces mushrooms that release spores, allowing it to reproduce and spread.

Interesting Yellow Fungi

Below is an interesting yellow fungus I’ve noticed in several places around Buntzen Lake. Its bright colour certainly makes it stand out against the darker bark and forest surroundings.

A bright yellow fungus that caught my attention.

Fungi come in a remarkable range of colours, including yellow, orange, red, purple, white, and almost black. Colour can sometimes help with identification, but it isn’t enough on its own to determine a species.

Are These Mushrooms Sweating?

The mushrooms in the next photograph look as though they’re sweating!

These mushrooms certainly look as though they’re sweating!

Some fungi can produce visible droplets through a process called guttation, in which liquid is released onto the surface. Moisture droplets can also come from rain, condensation, or dew.

I don’t know which process explains the droplets in this particular photograph, but it’s an interesting feature.

Tiny Mushrooms on the Forest Floor

Not all mushrooms are large or easy to see. Some are tiny and can be missed completely unless you slow down and look carefully.

Here are some little mushrooms I found along the trails.

Some tiny mushrooms that would be easy to overlook.

Small mushrooms can be particularly rewarding to photograph close up. Even ordinary-looking fungi can reveal interesting shapes, textures, and colours when viewed from a different perspective.

Unusual Fungi on the Lakeview Trail

I’m not sure what the next one is, but I discovered it growing on an old stump along the Lakeview Trail.

An interesting unidentified fungus on an old stump along the Lakeview Trail.

Some fungi specialize in breaking down wood, including the tough compounds that give tree trunks their strength. This decomposition is an essential part of the forest’s natural recycling process.

Without fungi and other decomposers, fallen branches, logs, and dead trees would accumulate much more slowly decomposing, and nutrients would not be returned to the soil as efficiently.

Mushrooms Growing From Dead Wood

Here’s a small mushroom I found growing from the end of a dead tree.

A small mushroom growing from dead wood.

The next mushroom looks fairly normal, at least compared with some of the unusual fungi in the other photographs!

A more familiar-looking mushroom.

White Fungi Growing on a Tree

The next two photographs show a group of small, whitish fungi growing on a tree, followed by a close-up of the same growth.

Small whitish fungi growing along a tree.

A closer look at the same fungi.

Close-up photography can reveal details that aren’t obvious from a distance. For mushroom identification, mycologists often examine the underside of the cap, whether the fungus has gills or pores, its stem, and the material on which it is growing.

Orange Mushrooms Along the Buntzen Lake Trail

And finally, here are some funky orange mushrooms I photographed along the eastern side of the Buntzen Lake Trail.

Some bright orange mushrooms along the Buntzen Lake Trail.

It’s amazing how much variety you can find simply by paying attention to the trees, stumps, and forest floor while hiking.

Interesting Facts About Mushrooms and Fungi

Mushrooms are not plants: Fungi belong to their own biological kingdom. Unlike plants, they do not use sunlight to produce food through photosynthesis.
Most of the fungus may be hidden: A mushroom is often only the visible fruiting body. Networks of microscopic fungal threads called hyphae can extend through soil, dead wood, and other materials.
Fungi help recycle nutrients: Many fungi decompose fallen trees, leaves, and other organic material, returning nutrients to the forest ecosystem.
Some fungi help living trees: Mycorrhizal fungi form partnerships with tree roots. The fungi help trees absorb water and nutrients, while the trees provide sugars produced through photosynthesis.
Not all fungi grow mushrooms: The fungal kingdom includes yeasts, moulds, and many other organisms that don’t produce familiar mushroom-shaped structures.
Autumn is an excellent time to look: Wet weather and cooler temperatures often encourage mushroom fruiting in coastal forests. However, different species appear at different times throughout the year.
Some fungi can produce liquid droplets: Guttation is a process in which certain fungi release moisture onto their surfaces, sometimes making them appear to be sweating.
Dead wood is important habitat: Fallen logs and old stumps support fungi, insects, and other organisms. As the wood decomposes, it contributes to the nutrient cycle and helps maintain forest biodiversity.
Animals also depend on fungi: Various animals, including small mammals, eat mushrooms and other fungal structures. Some animals also help spread fungal spores.

Photographing Mushrooms Around Buntzen Lake

If you’re interested in photographing mushrooms, autumn is a particularly enjoyable time to explore the Buntzen Lake forests.

I find that looking at the sides of old tree trunks, decaying stumps, fallen branches, and mossy areas can reveal some interesting subjects. Sometimes the smallest mushrooms make the best photographs.

Try photographing fungi from different angles, including low to the ground, and look for interesting details such as gills, textures, and water droplets.

A little patience helps, especially when the forest is dark and damp. I also prefer to photograph mushrooms where they’re growing rather than disturbing them or removing them from the forest.

A Note About Mushroom Identification and Safety

Although I’ve included plenty of photographs, I haven’t identified these mushrooms to the species level. Many fungi look very similar, and accurate identification may require examining features that aren’t visible in a photograph.

Never eat a wild mushroom based solely on a photograph or an online identification suggestion. Some poisonous species closely resemble edible mushrooms, and mistakes can cause serious illness.

The purpose of this article is to appreciate and photograph the fungi growing around Buntzen Lake, not to provide a mushroom-foraging guide.

Please respect the natural environment, leave fungi and dead wood undisturbed, and stay on designated trails wherever possible.

Do You Recognize Any of These Mushrooms?

As I mentioned at the beginning, I’m a fun guy, but not a fungi expert!

If you recognize any of the mushrooms in my photographs, I’d be interested to hear your suggestions. Send me a message through my contact page and let me know which photograph you’re referring to and what species you think it might be.

Even after hundreds of hikes around Buntzen Lake, I still come across interesting fungi that I’ve never noticed before. That’s one of the things I enjoy about exploring these forests. There’s always something new to discover if you take the time to look.