Kluane Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kluane Lake |
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 Kluane Lake
Location in Canada
Kluane Lake
Location in Yukon
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| Location | Yukon |
| Coordinates | 61°14′N 138°40′W / 61.233°N 138.667°W |
| Primary inflows | Formerly the Slims River |
| Primary outflows | Kluane River |
| Catchment area | Bering Sea Watershed |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 81 km (50 mi) |
| Surface area | c. 408 km2 (158 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 31 m (102 ft) |
| Max. depth | 91 m (299 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 781 m (2,562 ft) |
| Settlements | Burwash Landing, Destruction Bay |
Kluane Lake is located in the southwest area of the Yukon. It is the largest lake contained entirely within Yukon at approximately 408 km2 (158 sq mi), and 81 km (50 mi) long.
Until 2016, Kluane Lake was fed by the A'ay Chu (Slims River), which was composed of meltwater from the Kaskawulsh Glacier, located within Kluane National Park. It drains into the Kluane River, whose waters flow into the Donjek River, White River, Yukon River, and eventually the Bering Sea. The lake has a high density of large-bodied lake trout and whitefish and is known for its fishing.
Kluane Lake is located approximately 60 km (37 mi) northwest of Haines Junction. The lake has a mean depth of 31 m (102 ft) and a maximum depth of 91 m (299 ft)
The Alaska Highway follows most of Kluane Lake's southern border, and the drive offers views of the lake.
Communities
The Yukon communities of Burwash Landing and Destruction Bay are located on the southern shore of the lake.
Northern Mountain Caribou
The Aishihik and Kluane caribou herds migrate in the area surrounding Kluane and Aishihik Lakes. They are a northern mountain caribou, a distinct ecotype of the woodland caribou. In 2009, there were 181 caribou in the Kluane herd (also known as the Burwash herd) and 2044 caribou in the Aishihik herd. The Kluane herd was declining while the Aishihik herd was increasing.
Images for kids
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Climate change: Kluane Lake's main tributary (the A'ay Chu, or Slims River) has mostly dried since the retreating Kaskawulsh Glacier's meltwater suddenly diverted in May 2016. Yukon, Canada. 2019 photo by Tom Dempsey / PhotoSeek.com
See also
In Spanish: Lago Kluane para niños
