Cassels Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cassels Lake |
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 Cassels Lake
Location in Ontario
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| Location | Temagami, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 47°04′N 79°43′W / 47.067°N 79.717°W |
| Type | natural freshwater lake |
| Primary outflows | Rabbit Lake (Temagami) |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 9.2 miles (14.8 km) |
| Max. width | 0.67 miles (1.08 km) |
| Surface elevation | 285 metres (935 ft) |
| Islands | numerous islands and islets |
Cassels Lake, once known as White Bear Lake, is a beautiful lake in Temagami, Ontario, Canada. It's a great spot for outdoor adventures! The lake is full of portages (places to carry canoes between waterways) and campsites. It sits right on the edge of the amazing White Bear Forest.
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Discover Cassels Lake
Cassels Lake is located in the Nipissing District, Ontario. It is a natural freshwater lake. The lake is quite long, stretching about 14.8 kilometers (9.2 miles). It is also about 1.1 kilometers (0.67 miles) wide. The lake is home to many islands and smaller islets. Its elevation is about 285 meters (935 feet) above sea level. Water flows out of Cassels Lake into Rabbit Lake.
A Lake with a Past: Logging History
Many years ago, in the 1920s, Cassels Lake played a big part in the logging industry. A special dam was built at a narrow spot connecting Cassels Lake and Rabbit Lake. This dam helped loggers float huge tree logs from the surrounding forests down to the Ottawa River.
When the dam was built, the water level in Cassels Lake and other nearby lakes rose a lot. The Gillies' Bros. logging company then cut down trees from the land that became flooded. This left behind many snags (dead trees sticking out of the water) and stumps that you can still see today.
The White Bear Forest Story
Right next to where the sawmill used to be, there's a special part of the forest. This area has very old white pine and red pine trees. These trees are about 400 years old! This ancient forest is known as the White Bear Forest.
Local stories say that this particular group of trees was never cut down because the mill manager's wife loved looking at them from her home. She supposedly told her husband not to cut them, and so they were saved.
Exploring the White Bear Forest Today
Today, the White Bear Forest, located on the south side of Cassels Lake, is a special protected area. It is now a conservation reserve. This means it's kept safe for nature and for people to enjoy.
The reserve has many hiking trails. These trails let visitors explore the incredible old growth pine forest up close. It's a wonderful way to experience nature and see trees that have been growing for centuries.
