Gibson Lake (Muskoka District) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gibson Lake |
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 Gibson Lake
Location in Ontario
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| Location | District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 44°57′58″N 79°44′57″W / 44.96611°N 79.74917°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Part of | Great Lakes Basin |
| Primary inflows | Gibson River |
| Primary outflows | Gibson River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) |
| Max. width | .8 kilometres (0.5 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 183 metres (600 ft) |
Gibson Lake is a beautiful lake located in Georgian Bay Township, District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. It's about 45 minutes north of the city of Barrie. You can easily reach it from Highway 400 at exit 174.
This lake is special because it borders the Wahta Mohawk Territory. Gibson Lake is about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) long. Its waters flow into Georgian Bay through the Gibson River. The lake has two main parts, a north end and a south end, connected by a narrow section.
Contents
Discover Gibson Lake
A Popular Spot for Cottages
The southern parts of Gibson Lake are very popular with people who own cottages. Many families from southern Ontario enjoy spending their summers here. The first cottages were built in the 1950s when the land was divided up.
Today, around 200 families have cottages on the lake. More and more people are choosing to live there all year round. The north-east side of the lake is part of the Sahanatien Native Mohawk reserve. This area has seen a lot of new buildings recently. Many cottages on the north-east side are built on land leased from Wahta Mohawk families. These cottages are reached by private roads.
A Historic Land Claim Settlement
On February 7, 2005, an important agreement was made. Chief Blaine Commandant of the Wahta Mohawks, along with government ministers, announced a settlement. This agreement resolved a land claim that dated all the way back to 1918.
The Wahta Mohawks received about $9.7 million in money. They also gained 8,300 acres (3,300 hectares) of provincial Crown land. This land was set aside to become part of their reserve. The new lands are right next to the existing Wahta Mohawk Territory.
This settlement was carefully planned. It made sure that all property owners could still reach their land. Public roads and public access to nearby lakes were also protected. Everyone involved was asked for their thoughts during the talks. This agreement also helped with upgrading Highway 400 to four lanes. This made it even easier for cottagers to get to Gibson Lake.
Fun Activities on the Lake
Gibson Lake has a small island where a fun event happens every year. On the first weekend of August, there's a picnic festival and a regatta. A regatta is a series of boat races.
The Gibson Lake Cottage Association sponsors prizes and trophies. Winners are celebrated for swimming, canoeing, and tubing competitions. It's a great time for everyone on the lake!
Amazing Wildlife and Nature
The area around Gibson Lake is full of different plants and animals. You can find many kinds of wildlife here.
Animals of Gibson Lake
Some of the animals you might see include:
- Mammals: Black bears, deer, moose, foxes, raccoons, beavers, martens, and chipmunks.
- Birds: Swans, hummingbirds, loons, blue herons, and ducks.
- Other creatures: Salamanders and many types of freshwater fish.
Plants and Habitats
The region is also known for growing cranberries. The natural areas around the lake are very important. They include wetlands and places where special animals live.
Protecting Nature Around Gibson Lake
People who live and have cottages around Gibson Lake are very concerned about protecting its nature. They have raised objections about plans for logging in the wetlands. These wetlands are homes for animals that are at risk. This concern applies to the Six Mile Lake and Gibson Lake areas in Georgian Bay Township.
Protecting Rare Reptiles
The Georgian Bay area is home to more types of reptiles than any other place in Canada. Many of these reptile species are at risk of disappearing. People believe that there should be no logging in this important area.
This region is a vital habitat for several threatened and endangered species, including:
- The eastern massasauga rattlesnake
- The eastern hog-nosed snake
- The fox snake
- The Blandings turtle
- The stinkpot turtle
- The endangered spotted turtle
Protecting these animals and their homes is very important for the future of Gibson Lake's natural beauty.
