Centennial Lake (Renfrew County) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Centennial Lake |
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Centennial Lake, looking northwest towards Griffith
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 Centennial Lake
Location in Southern Ontario
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| Location | Renfrew County & Frontenac County, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 45°09′22″N 76°03′09″W / 45.15611°N 76.05250°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Part of | Saint Lawrence River drainage basin |
| Primary inflows | Madawaska River, Mackie Creek |
| Primary outflows | Madawaska River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| First flooded | 1966 |
| Surface elevation | 248 metres (814 ft) |
Centennial Lake is a large lake in Ontario, Canada. It is actually a reservoir, which means it's a lake created by people, usually by building a dam. This lake is located in Renfrew County and Frontenac County in Eastern Ontario.
Centennial Lake is part of the Madawaska River system. This river eventually flows into the Saint Lawrence River, which then leads to the Atlantic Ocean. The lake has a unique "L" shape. The Madawaska River flows into the lake at the northwest end. Another stream, Mackie Creek, also flows into the lake from the south. The Madawaska River then flows out of Centennial Lake and into Black Donald Lake. A road, Renfrew County Road 65, crosses the lake on a long bridge.
How Centennial Lake Was Made
Centennial Lake was created between 1965 and 1966. It was formed when the Mountain Chute Generating Station and a dam were built. This project also created Black Donald Lake, which is next to Centennial Lake.
When the dam was built, it caused the water to rise. This flooded an area of about 8,500 acres (3,440 hectares). The new lake covered a smaller lake called White Fish Lake. It also covered a former mining town called Black Donald Mines. The mine there used to dig for graphite, but it was no longer in use when the area was flooded. It took about six months for the lake to fill up completely after the dam was finished.
What People Do at the Lake
Today, Centennial Lake is mostly used for fun activities. Many people visit for recreation and tourism. There are also many cottages (small vacation homes) around the lake. People enjoy spending time here, especially during the warmer months.
Rivers and Streams Flowing In
Many smaller rivers and streams flow into Centennial Lake. These are called tributaries. They help keep the lake full of water.
- Morrow Creek
- Mackie Creek
- Colton Creek
- Glenfield Creek
