Colville Lake is located 50kms north of the Arctic Circle and is home to 160 residents.  The community was founded in 1962 when the Catholic Mission, Our Lady of the Snows, was complete.  Ordinarily the community is accessible by air, through Norman Wells, but over the winter months an ice road connects Colville Lake with Fort Good Hope and beyond. 

The local school serves students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12.  Health care is provided through the Colville Lake Health Centre.