Father Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Father Lake |
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Watershed of Nottaway River
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 Father Lake
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality) |
| Coordinates | 49°18′41″N 75°28′26″W / 49.31139°N 75.47389°W |
| Type | Natural |
| Primary inflows | discharge of lakes Windfall, Croft, Podeur, Rouge and Roméo, discharge of lake Skokiaan. |
| Primary outflows | Doda Lake |
| Basin countries | Canada (Quebec) |
| Max. length | 29.6 kilometres (18.4 mi) |
| Max. width | 8.4 kilometres (5.2 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 338 metres (1,109 ft) |
Father Lake is a freshwater lake located in the southern part of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality) area in Quebec, Canada. It's like a big natural pool that flows into Doda Lake.
This lake is part of a larger system of rivers and lakes that eventually lead to James Bay. This includes the Opawica River, the Waswanipi River, and the Nottaway River.
Father Lake is found southwest of Chapais, Quebec. The main activity in this area is forestry, which means people work with trees and forests. Tourism is also important, especially for fun activities like boating on the lake. You can explore a long stretch of water, including Father Lake, Doda Lake, and Françoise Lake.
The area around Father Lake is mostly covered by forests. You can reach the lake by a forest road called R1051 from the north. The lake itself has a unique shape, almost like the letter "F," because of a large piece of land that sticks out into the water.
The surface of Father Lake usually freezes over from early November until mid-May. However, it's generally safe to walk or play on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
About Father Lake
Father Lake is shaped a bit like an upside-down hook. It is about 29.6 kilometres (18.4 mi) long and up to 8.4 kilometres (5.2 mi) wide. The lake sits at an elevation of 338 metres (1,109 ft) above sea level. It has many interesting features like bays, peninsulas (land surrounded by water on three sides), and islands.
Father Lake is connected to several other lakes, forming a group that includes Doda Lake, Françoise Lake, Stina Lake, and Du Guesclin Lake.
Water flows into Father Lake from the southwest, coming from smaller lakes like Windfall, Croft, Podeur, Rouge, and Roméo. Water also enters from the northeast through the Skokiaan Lake outlet.
The water from Father Lake flows directly into Doda Lake through a short, narrow passage. This exit point is in a bay on the northeast side of Father Lake.
Where is Father Lake?
Father Lake is located in a region with many other important lakes and rivers. Here are some distances to help you understand its location:
- It is 12.9 kilometres (8.0 mi) south of where Doda Lake flows out.
- It is 58.9 kilometres (36.6 mi) south-east of where the Opawica River meets the Chibougamau River.
- It is 334.3 kilometres (207.7 mi) south-east of the mouth of the Nottaway River, which flows into James Bay.
- It is 68.3 kilometres (42.4 mi) northwest of a bay in the large Gouin Reservoir.
- It is 94.3 kilometres (58.6 mi) south-west of the town of Chibougamau.
- It is 58.3 kilometres (36.2 mi) south-east of the village of Waswanipi.
The main rivers and lakes near Father Lake include:
- To the North: Opawica River, Du Guesclin Lake, Françoise Lake, and Obatogamau River.
- To the East: Doda Lake, Opawica River, Aigle River, Hébert Lake, and Hébert River.
- To the South: Hébert Lake, Aigle River, Saint-Cyr River, and Hébert River.
- To the West: Pierrefonds River, Fortier River, and Opawica River.
The Name of Father Lake
For a long time, up until the 1800s, "Father Lake" and Doda Lake were often thought of as one single lake. The name "Father" comes from the Indigenous term Doda Sagaigan, which means 'father's lake' or 'fathers lake'. So, the older name "Father's Lake" was later simplified to "Father Lake."
You can even see the name "Doda Sagahaigan or Father's L." on a map from 1900, drawn by a surveyor named Henry O'Sullivan. The official name "lac Père" (which means Father Lake in French) was formally recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, a group that names places in Quebec.
