In 1846, Alexander Caulfield Anderson paddled along the lakes when seeking a new HBC fur brigade route from Fort Alexandria.

In 1858, Governor James Douglas commissioned Anderson to establish a route to the goldfields during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush.

Anderson's cousin Colonel Alexander Seton of the 74th Regiment, who was in command of the troops on board HMS Birkenhead, which sank in 1852, was noted for his exemplary conduct in the moment and was among those who drowned.

[7] The misspelling as "Seaton Lake" on Jorgensen's 1895 map[8] was commonly repeated for decades in both newspaper accounts and government reports.

However, glacial silt from Cayoosh Creek, entering via the power station tunnel, makes the lake water much cloudier than Anderson.

[9] Although a trail existed along the north shore, this section of the Douglas Road was mostly travelled via the lake, initially by canoe.

[13] Despite repairs and upgrades to this rudimentary trail over the years, the condition remained as unsuitable for livestock passage.

[14] Built on the lake for Taylor & Co, the 34-metre (110 ft) paddle steamer Champion entered service in June 1860.

[23] An influx of gold prospectors, which overwhelmed the private boats and barges, highlighted the need for regular lake transportation.

[38] The northward advance of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (PGE) rail head reached the western end of Seton Lake in late January 1915[39] and the Lillooet vicinity in mid-February.

[59] In December 1964, a diesel locomotive hauling a freight train struck a rockslide on the track, derailed, and plunged into the icy lake.

[60] The locomotive, which rested on a ledge 43 metres (140 ft) underwater, was secured a month later to prevent it from slipping to the bottom of the lake.

[61] The PGE implemented a coroner's jury recommendation that a speeder precede all trains along the lake to check for track obstructions.

On rounding a bend, a southbound 59-car freight train struck the rock, derailing the two lead locomotives and two cars.

The Upper Bench Loop Trail provides views of Cayoosh Creek, the valley, and Seton Powerhouse.