Doda Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Doda Lake |
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Watershed of Nottaway River
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 Doda Lake
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Eeyou Istchee Baie-James (municipality) |
| Coordinates | 49°24′04″N 75°11′40″W / 49.40111°N 75.19444°W |
| Primary inflows | |
| Primary outflows | Opawica River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 29.4 kilometres (18.3 mi) |
| Max. width | 5.2 kilometres (3.2 mi) |
| Surface area | 76 kilometres (47 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 335 metres (1,099 ft) |
Doda Lake is a freshwater lake located in the southern part of Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality). This area is in the Nord-du-Québec region of Quebec, Canada. The lake stretches across several townships, including Gradis, Machault, Du Guesglin, and Royal.
The main activity around Doda Lake is forestry, which means cutting down trees for wood. Tourism is also popular, especially for fun activities like boating. You can explore a large area of water, about 64.8 kilometres (40.3 mi) long, which includes Father Lake to the southeast and Françoise Lake to the northwest. Françoise Lake is actually a wider part of the Opawica River and has a dam at its end.
You can reach the Doda Lake area by using a forest road called R1051. This road helps people get to the peninsula that separates Father Lake and Doda Lake. The lake's surface usually freezes over from mid-November to mid-April, making it safe for activities on the ice during those months.
Exploring Doda Lake's Geography
Doda Lake is shaped a bit like an upside-down hook. It is about 29.4 kilometres (18.3 mi) long and up to 5.21 kilometres (3.24 mi) wide. The lake sits at an elevation of 335 metres (1,099 ft) above sea level.
The lake has many interesting features like bays, peninsulas (pieces of land sticking out into the water), and islands. The Opawica River, which flows into the Waswanipi River, passes through the northern part of Doda Lake.
Doda Lake gets its water from rivers flowing in from the south. These include the Aigle River and the Saint-Cyr River.
The water from Doda Lake flows out through a short narrow channel into Françoise Lake. This exit point is in a bay in the northwest part of the lake. From this spot, Doda Lake is:
- About 76.4 kilometres (47.5 mi) east of Lake Waswanipi.
- About 109 kilometres (68 mi) southwest of the town of Chibougamau.
- About 104.6 kilometres (65.0 mi) northeast of the village of Lebel-sur-Quévillon.
- About 112.3 kilometres (69.8 mi) northwest of Gouin Reservoir.
The main rivers and lakes nearby Doda Lake are:
- To the North: The Opawica River and Chibougamau River.
- To the East: The Aigle River and Surprise Lake (Roy River).
- To the South: The Aigle River, Saint-Cyr River, and Hebert River.
- To the West: Father Lake (Dora Lake) and the Opawica River.
The Story Behind the Name
Father Lake and Doda Lake are very close, almost like twins. In the past, explorers sometimes thought they were one big lake. There used to be a large forest camp on the shores of Doda Lake. This camp served as a supply point for loggers and people who floated logs down the river. Today, there's a special business called an "outfitter" that helps people enjoy outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.
An old map from 1898 showed Father's and Doda's lakes as separate. However, explorer Henry O'Sullivan's map from 1900 called them one lake: "Doda Sagahaigan or Father's L". The original name, Doda Sagaigan or Doda Sagandigan, comes from the Algonquin Indigenous people. It meant "Father's Lake" or "Fathers Lake." This name was shortened to "Doda" to make it easier to say. It might hint at missionaries who were in the area a long time ago.
The name "Lac Doda" was officially recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the organization in charge of place names in Quebec.
