Adams Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adams Lake |
|
|---|---|
Adams Lake from space (August 1989)
|
|
 Adams Lake
Location in British Columbia
|
|
| Location | British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 51°15′N 119°30′W / 51.250°N 119.500°W |
| Primary inflows | Upper Adams River, Momich River, Bush Creek |
| Primary outflows | Lower Adams River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 63 km (39 mi) |
| Max. width | 3.2 km (2.0 mi) |
| Surface area | 137 km2 (53 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 299 m (981 ft) |
| Max. depth | 457 m (1,499 ft) |
| Water volume | 23.2 km3 (5.6 cu mi) |
| Residence time | 10.4 years |
| Surface elevation | 404 m (1,325 ft) |
Adams Lake is a very large and deep lake in British Columbia, Canada. It's known for its cold water. In fact, its average depth makes it one of the deepest lakes in the world, ranking 6th!
The southern part of the lake is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of a town called Chase. This area is part of the Shuswap Country region. The northern end of the lake reaches into the Monashee Mountains. The lower part of the lake is in the Shuswap Highland.
Adams Lake is home to many types of fish. You can find different kinds of Chinook, Sockeye, and Coho salmon here. There are also Kokanee, mountain whitefish, and rainbow trout.
Contents
Discover Adams Lake's Geography
Adams Lake is about 63 kilometers (39 miles) long. Its width changes, but it's usually between 1.6 km (1 mile) and 3.2 km (2 miles) wide. The surface of the lake is 404 meters (1,325 feet) above sea level.
This lake is incredibly deep. Its average depth is 299 meters (981 feet). The deepest point is 457 meters (1,499 feet) down! This makes it the second deepest lake in British Columbia. Only Quesnel Lake is deeper, at 511 meters (1,677 feet). Adams Lake is also the 6th deepest lake in the world by average depth.
Water flows into Adams Lake from several rivers and creeks. The main ones are the Upper Adams River, the Momich River, and Bush Creek. The water then flows out of the lake through the Lower Adams River. This river is famous for its huge run of sockeye salmon each year. Many people visit the area to see this amazing natural event. From there, the water continues into Shuswap Lake and then down the Thompson River.
Most of Adams Lake's shoreline is undeveloped. This is because much of it has steep rock faces or stony beaches. There are not many natural sandy beaches. However, some man-made sandy beaches have been built for people to enjoy. You can find some at Adams Lake Provincial Park.
A Look at Adams Lake's History
Adams Lake is named after Chief Adam (sometimes spelled Atahm). He was an important leader of the Secwépemc people in the mid-1800s. Chief Adam passed away during the 1862 Pacific Northwest smallpox epidemic. This event sadly caused the death of more than half of the local Secwepemc population.
The Secwépemc people have held peaceful protests at Adams Lake. In 1990, they showed support for the Mohawk people in Kanesatake. In 1995, they protested to protect a Secwepemc burial ground. They wanted to stop a large RV park from being built there.
During the 1995 protest, the only bridge crossing the lake was damaged. This led to a permanent ferry service being set up. Now, the ferry helps people get to the eastern side of the lake. The northern part of Adams Lake is called Mumix in the Shuswap language.
How Forestry Shapes the Region
Forestry is the main industry around Adams Lake. It means cutting down trees for wood. Unpaved logging roads run along the entire length of the lake. These roads are the only way to get around by land.
At the south end of the lake, there is a sawmill. Logs are brought to the lake from further north. A large crane drops them into the water near the Momich River. Then, these logs are tied together to form huge floating rafts called log booms. Tug boats pull these log booms down the lake to the sawmill. It's very common to see these log booms waiting on the lake.
Fun Activities at Adams Lake
Adams Lake is a great place for outdoor fun all year round. Many people enjoy fishing in the lake. They often catch Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Lake trout, and Bull Trout. The lake is also popular for swimming, boating, and water skiing.
The area around the lake is a favorite spot for campers. It has many different kinds of plants and animals. In the fall and winter, people go hunting for game birds. They also hunt larger animals like mule deer, black bear, and cougar (also known as mountain lions).
Adams Lake's Climate
- Average Hours of Sunshine: Over 2,000 hours each year.
- Average Rainfall: About 304.7 millimeters (11 inches) annually.
- Average Snowfall: About 139.8 centimeters (55 inches) in the valleys. The mountains can get up to 644 centimeters (253.5 inches) of snow.
- Frost Free Days: The area has between 120 and 175 days without frost each year.
The average highest temperature in summer is 28.4 °C (84 °F). The average lowest temperature in winter is -8.8 °C (16 °F).
See also
In Spanish: Lago Adams para niños
