History
Last Mountain Lake, also known as Long Lake, is a prairie lake formed from glaciation 11,000 years ago. It is located in south-central Saskatchewan, Canada, about 40 km northwest of the city of Regina. It flows into the Qu’Appelle River via Last Mountain Creek which flows past Craven. It is approximately 93 km long, and 3 km wide at its widest point. Last Mountain Lake is the largest naturally occurring body of water in southern Saskatchewan and was named after a Plains Cree legend about the Great Spirit shoveling dirt from the valley the lake now occupies and forming Last Mountain Hills east of Duval.
European settlers first arrived in this district in the late 1800s and eventually set up a townsite called Watertown, near the northern end of Last Mountain Lake. Before railways arrived on the prairie, it was steamboats that brought people and supplies to the land. The Pearson Land Company ran a steamboat on Last Mountain Lake to help bring settlers into the area. These steamboats played an essential transportation role for several years. The Morning of August 23, 1882 Canadian Pacific Railway(CPR) first train arrived, this marks the occasion for the christening of the new capital of the North-West Territories.
The Qu’Appelle, Long Lake and Saskatchewan Railroad and Steamboat Company received a government grant for a railway running from Regina to Long Lake and a steamboat navigating the length of Long Lake. Trains ran between Regina and Sussex (now Craven) and the C.P.R. eventually purchased this line. This was the beginning of a new resort area for Regina near Sussex and the proximity of the railroad allowed for the opening of Lake View Park (Saskatchewan Beach) and Cain’s Point (Regina Beach).
Shore Communities
Resort communities Kannata Valley, Arlington Beach, Grandview Beach, Eldora Beach, Regina Beach, Saskatchewan Beach, Buena Vista, Glen Harbour, Alice and Wee Too Beach, Colesdale Park, Spring Bay, Pelican Pointe, Sunset Cove, Island View, Etter’s Beach, and Mohr’s Beach are on the shores of the lake
Total Population – Approx 1700
Residential Properties – Approx 650
Buying and Selling
- Get geotechnical information, engage a structural engineer to view if warranted, have a home inspection and Ask PCDS questions regarding structural issues.
- have the septic tank inspected
- Inquire about 3 season and 4 season properties
- Ask about water services
- Get to know the areas of the community that have had issues and will continue to have issues.
Utilities – Community supplied potable water service,
majority of properties have winter water service,
3 season properties that have only summer water supply from May 1-Oct. 1,
Sewers running to septic tanks.
Heating – 80% Natural Gas, 20% propane and electric
(Homes that do not have natural gas and have been switched to propane does not reflect an issue with the home, it could be problems with fault lines that service gas to the area)
Land movement
Driving Force Slope Movement – moisture, unseasonal rain and snow over a 3-year period, new development creating slope weight, natural water flow interruption, new development excavation weakening hills.
Plans to Resolve – engaged ground engineers to assess priority areas, engage drainage engineers to design proper storm and underground drainage systems. Regina Beach has spent over 2 Million Dollars installing drainage systems throughout the community. Water Line mains replacements and road reconstruction plans will be the next capital expenditures.
Possible Future Community Growth
- A new 10-Million-dollar Lagoon ( a moratorium will be lifted this summer when once construction is started).
- Sinclair’s Campground has plans for a mini-golf course, hotel, pool and Community Centre.
- Gary Munroe has new development land in Buena Vista overlooking the valley
- Last Mountain Estates Acreage subdivision being developed.
- Kinookimaw Golf course and clubhouse is in the process of renovation.
Great opportunity on existing lots for new home builds in each community, RTM’s(Ready to Move) would work well sitting on foundations that allow any movement without impact on the structure.
Services and Benefits
2 gas stations
1 grocery store
1 bar/Sask liquor vendor
5 restaurants
K to 8 school
Library
Cultural Centre
Nurse practitioner and physician, lab services
Parks and Rec – yoga, kids programs – summer and winter,
fitness classes; 24-hour fitness facility.
Regina Beach Yacht Club – 300 members.
20km running, walking, biking trail
Boating and Docks
Golfing
