Boshkung Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boshkung Lake |
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Boshkung on a calm morning
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 Boshkung Lake
Location in Southern Ontario
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| Location | Haliburton County, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 45°03′58″N 78°43′46″W / 45.06611°N 78.72944°W |
| Part of | Great Lakes Basin |
| Primary inflows | Gull River, Kennisis River, Boshkung River |
| Primary outflows | Gull River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 5.7 kilometres (3.5 mi) |
| Max. width | 3.1 kilometres (1.9 mi) |
| Average depth | 71 metres (233 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 304 metres (997 ft) |
Boshkung Lake, also known as 'Big Boshkung', is a beautiful lake in Ontario, Canada. It is located in Haliburton County, near a place called Buttermilk Falls. For many years, Boshkung Lake has been a popular spot for cottages and fun activities. It has a cool history, including logging, camping, and even some farming long ago.
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About Boshkung Lake
Boshkung Lake is shaped a bit like a diamond. It is about 5.7 kilometres (3.5 miles) long from north to south. From east to west, it measures about 3.1 kilometres (1.9 miles). The lake is quite deep, reaching 71 metres (233 feet) at its deepest point.
How Water Flows In and Out
Boshkung Lake is part of a larger system called the Gull River Watershed. Water flows into Boshkung Lake from a few different places:
- The Gull River brings water from Beech Lake.
- The Kennisis River flows in from Halls Lake, going over Buttermilk Falls.
- The Boshkung River enters from Kushog Lake, passing over the Buck Slides Dam.
The main way water leaves Boshkung Lake is through the Gull River. This river then flows into Little Boshkung Lake. Eventually, the water from these lakes travels into Balsam Lake. From there, it makes its way through the Trent–Severn Waterway all the way to Lake Ontario.
Islands and Bays
Boshkung Lake has a named bay called Echo Bay, located on the east side. There are also a few small islands in the lake. Two of these islands, Echo Island and one of the Gull Islands, have buildings on them that people use during certain times of the year. Another island, Two Tree Island, sits near the west shore.
A Look at History
The first settler to arrive at Boshkung Lake was Isaac Hunter in 1852. In the early days, a big industry around the lake was logging. Huge white pine trees were cut down. These logs were then floated down the Gull River to mills. These mills were part of the Trent–Severn Waterway, where the logs were processed into lumber. Logging also happened at Buttermilk Falls.
Camping and Cottages
For about 30 years, until the mid-1960s, Boshkung Lake was a popular place for children's camps. One famous camp was the Sherwood Forest Camp, which ran from 1934 to 1964. Today, the lake is mostly known as a wonderful spot for cottages and recreation. Many families love Boshkung Lake, considering it either their main home or a special home away from home.
Famous Connections
Some well-known Canadian figures have strong ties to Boshkung Lake. This includes the famous Canadian naturalist and painter, Robert Bateman, and his brother, Ross, who is also an artist. Their families have a special connection to the lake.
What's in a Name?
The name "Boshkung" means 'place of grassy narrows'. Over time, the name has been spelled in different ways, like 'Bushconk', 'Bushkank', 'Bosking', 'Buskank', and 'Boskung'.
Communities Around the Lake
There are a few small communities located near Boshkung Lake:
- Buttermilk Falls is at the north end of the lake.
- The community of Boshkung Lake is on the west side.
- Carnarvon is in the nearby township of Minden Hills, just to the southeast.
The lake itself is managed by the Township of Algonquin Highlands.
Getting Around
If you want to visit Boshkung Lake, you can use these main roads:
- Ontario Highway 35 runs along the northeast shore of the lake.
- Ontario Highway 118 crosses the narrow part of the lake at its south end.
