Colville Lake, Northwest Territories

Colville Lake is a settlement corporation located in the Sahtu Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. The community is located 50km north of the Arctic Circle, on a lake of the same name, and is northeast of Norman Wells. This settlement is the administrative office of the Behdzi Ahda band government.DemographicsThe settlement's population as of 2016 is 129, a 13.4% decrease from the last national census. In 2012 the Government of the Northwest Territories reported that the population was 157 with an average yearly growth rate of 2.9% from 2001. The GNWT also reported that the majority, 139 people, were Aboriginal, Sahtu Dene. They are represented by the Behdzi Ahda First Nation and belong to the Sahtu Dene CouncilGeography and climateColville Lake is located 745km by air northwest of Yellowknife. The terrain is characterized by black spruce and tends to be small and sparse. Other vegetation includes mosses, lichens, grasses and alders. The winter months begin in October and last until April. The month of May is considered the spring or breakup period. By the end of May or Early June the lakes and rivers are normally free of ice, although this varies. June, July and August are considered the summer months and temperatures range in the mid twenties. At times the temperature has climbed into the low thirties. By late September, freeze up is well underway again.