Aishihik Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aishihik Lake |
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Otter Falls on Aishihik Lake Road
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 Aishihik Lake
Location in Canada
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| Location | Yukon |
| Coordinates | 61°27′N 137°8′W / 61.450°N 137.133°W |
| Catchment area | 2,765 km2 (1,068 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Surface area | 146 km2 (56 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 30 m (98 ft) |
| Max. depth | 120 m (390 ft) |
| Water volume | 4.38 km3 (1.05 cu mi) |
| Residence time | 14.6 years |
| Shore length1 | 153 km (95 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 914 m (2,999 ft) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Aishihik Lake is a beautiful lake located in the southwestern part of Yukon, Canada. It's an important place, not just for its natural beauty, but also for providing power to the area.
About Aishihik Lake
Power from the Lake
At the southern end of Aishihik Lake, there's a special dam that helps make electricity. This is called a hydroelectric dam. The water from the lake flows into the Aishihik River. This movement of water is used to create 37 megawatts of clean energy. This power helps light up homes and businesses in the Yukon!
A Base from World War II
During World War II, a base for the United States Air Force was built near the northern part of Aishihik Lake. This base used large diesel engines to create power and pump water for its operations.
Caribou Herds
The area around Aishihik Lake is home to special animals called caribou. These caribou belong to two main groups: the Aishihik herd and the Kluane herd. They are a type of northern mountain caribou, which is a unique kind of woodland caribou.
In 2009, there were about 181 caribou in the Kluane herd. The Aishihik herd was much larger, with around 2044 caribou. While the Kluane herd was getting smaller, the Aishihik herd was actually growing. These caribou herds are an important part of the Yukon's wildlife.
