Go Home Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Go Home Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Go Home Lake
Location in Ontario
|
|
| Location | west central Ontario |
| Coordinates | 45°0′30″N 79°50′40″W / 45.00833°N 79.84444°W |
| Primary inflows | Musquash River (Also spelled Musquosh River) |
| Primary outflows | Musquash River at the south end (The Gibson River also flows into the Musquash at this point), Go Home River at the north end. |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 5 mi (8 km) |
| Max. width | 0.75 mi (1 km) |
| Surface area | 4.8 sq mi (12 km2) |
Go Home Lake is a beautiful lake located in west-central Ontario, Canada. It's part of the Muskoka District, known for its many lakes and natural beauty. This lake is actually connected to the Musquash River system. People started using Go Home Lake for fun activities like boating and swimming in the late 1950s. To help keep the water level steady for boats, two dams were built in the early 1960s. These dams help make sure the lake's water level stays the same during the boating season.
Contents
How Go Home Lake Got Its Name
There are two interesting stories about how Go Home Lake got its unique name.
The Logger's Story
One story says the lake was named after Go Home Bay, which is just downstream. Loggers used to float timber down the Musquash River to Go Home Bay. There, large boats called steamers would pick up the timber. These steamers would then take the wood to different mills around the Great Lakes. After dropping off the timber, the steamers would "go home," giving the bay its name, and later, the lake.
The Voyageur's Story
Another story goes back even further, to the time of the Voyageurs. These early travelers would journey down Georgian Bay from the French River. They would meet with the Indigenous people who lived along the shore of Georgian Bay near the Go Home River. Each fall, these Indigenous families would move inland to the Go Home Lake area. This spot was more protected for living during the winter months. When the Voyageurs asked where they were going, the Indigenous people would reply "Kewa." This word meant "Go Home" in their language. This is how both the bay, the river, and the lake got their names.
Exploring Go Home Lake
Go Home Lake is about 5 miles (8 km) long. It is usually between 1/2 and 3/4 miles (800 - 1,200 m) wide. Out of the 1600 lakes in Muskoka, Go Home Lake is the 14th largest. It stretches from north to south.
Water Flow and Connections
The lake gets its water from the Musquash River at its northern end. Water then flows out of the lake in two directions. It goes back into the Musquash River through a control dam at the south end. It also flows into the Go Home River at the north end. Both the Musquash and Go Home Rivers eventually flow into the large Georgian Bay. Go Home Lake is known for being more rugged and rocky compared to other lakes in the Muskoka region.
Unique Channels
Two special channels connect the south and north parts of the lake. One is called the "New Cut," which was made by people. The other is known as the "Haunted Narrows." This channel got its name because of a strange sound. When the current is strong, the rocks on the bottom of the channel move, making an eerie sound that can be heard at night.
Life on the Lake
There are around 430 cottages on Go Home Lake. Most of these cottages can only be reached by water, meaning you need a boat to get to them. The lake also has two marinas.
Marinas and Services
- Minor's Bay Marina: This marina is closer to the main highway. It offers places to dock boats, parking, and boat launching. It also has a public telephone and services for boat repairs.
- Go Home Lake Marina: This marina is a bit further away. Besides dockage, parking, and boat launching, it also has a general store. This store sells supplies and offers fuel for boats.
Go Home Fire Tower
A long time ago, a fire tower stood on the northwest side of Go Home Lake. This tower overlooked Go Home Bay. It was one of the last towers in Southern Ontario that had people working in it. These workers would watch for forest fires to help keep the area safe.
Fun Activities at Go Home Lake
Go Home Lake is a popular spot for many fun outdoor activities, especially in the summer.
- Fishing: Many people enjoy fishing in the lake.
- Canoeing: Paddling a canoe is a great way to explore the lake's quiet areas.
- Cliff-diving: For those who like adventure, there are spots for safe cliff-diving.
- Water Sports: Popular water sports include water-skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing.
- Annual Regatta: The lake also hosts an annual regatta, which is a fun event with boat races and other activities.
