Black Lakes (Ontario) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Lakes |
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 Black Lakes
Location in Ontario
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| Location | Kenora District, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 49°45′44″N 93°31′05″W / 49.76222°N 93.51806°W |
| Primary outflows | Unnamed creek to Walleye Lake |
| Basin countries | Canada |
The Black Lakes are two special lakes found in the Kenora District of Ontario, Canada. They are located about 14 kilometers (or about 9 miles) southwest of a community called Vermilion Bay. These lakes are unique because they are part of a "closed basin" system, which means the water flows in but doesn't flow out to the ocean.
What are the Black Lakes?
The Black Lakes are actually a pair of lakes that are connected. The western lake is the bigger one. It stretches about 810 meters (or 2,657 feet) long and is about 480 meters (or 1,575 feet) wide. This larger lake sits at an elevation of 374 meters (or 1,227 feet) above sea level.
How the Lakes Connect
Water from the larger western lake flows into the smaller eastern lake. The eastern lake is about 560 meters (or 1,837 feet) long and 270 meters (or 886 feet) wide. It is slightly lower than the western lake, sitting at an elevation of 370 meters (or 1,214 feet).
From the eastern Black Lake, the water continues its journey through a small, unnamed creek. This creek then flows into another lake called Walleye Lake. What makes this system interesting is that Walleye Lake itself has no outlet. This means that any water that flows into Walleye Lake stays there, either evaporating or sinking into the ground. This is what makes the Black Lakes part of a "closed basin" or "endorheic basin" system.
