Watson Lake, YK

Airport information

Identifier: CYQH

Coordinates: N 60˚ 06.59’ W 128˚ 49.21’

Elevation: 2255′ ASL

VAR: 25˚ E

Time zone factor: UTC-8(7)

Runways:
08/26 – 5500×150 asphalt

Communications: MF

Fuel: 100LL, JA-1

COPA airport directory: CYQH

 watson

City information

Signpost forest

Signpost forest

The south of Yukon is an area of diversity. Mountains, glaciers, hot springs and enormous lakes set the scene for gold rush towns and Alaska Highway settlements. Expect the exceptional.

Early in 1897, American (Lake Tahoe) Frank Watson at the age of 14 left California and headed north with his father to seek gold in the Klondike. They worked two claims on Bonanza Creek until sometime after the flood of 1903 when he headed to the Upper Liard River area. He was the first white man to travel over land to this area, most traveled on the rivers. Airport construction, in conjunction with the construction of the Alaska Highway a year later, signaled the true beginning of the town of Watson Lake.

Alaska Highway

Alaska Highway

A cairn was erected in 1992 in dedication to the pilots who flew into the Watson Lake area during the war. Watson Lake celebrates the Centennial of aviation by calling on every pilot in the region to meet in Watson Lake on August 1 for a big celebration. Many thanks to Mayor Nancy Moore for inviting us to join the celebrations.

To learn more about the city, click here.

Our activities

  • Fly-by over the town to salute the locals
  • Canoeing and fishing
  • Cookout and dance