Knee Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Knee Lake |
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| Location | Manitoba |
| Part of | Hudson Bay drainage basin |
| Primary inflows | Hayes River |
| Primary outflows | Hayes River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Surface elevation | 176 m (577 ft) |
Knee Lake is a cool lake located in Manitoba, Canada. It's actually a part of the Hayes River, which is a big river system. This lake got its name because it has a bend in the middle that looks a bit like a human knee!
Long ago, Knee Lake was a very important stop for people called voyageurs. These were brave travelers who used canoes to move goods and explore. They traveled a famous route from York Factory on Hudson Bay all the way to Norway House on Lake Winnipeg.
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What Does Knee Lake Look Like?
Knee Lake has an interesting shape. The western part of the lake is about 6 miles (about 9.6 kilometers) long from south to north. It's less than 4 miles (about 6.4 kilometers) wide.
The "Knee" Bend
As you move along the lake, it gets much narrower, sometimes less than half a mile wide. Then, it stretches out for about 20 miles (about 32 kilometers) towards the northeast. This longer section is usually no more than 4 miles (about 6.4 kilometers) across.
Magnetic Island: A Compass Mystery
Close to the "knee" part of the lake, there's a special place called Magnetic Island. This island has a lot of a certain type of rock called ore. People say that this ore is so magnetic that it can make compasses go crazy and not work properly! Imagine trying to navigate there without a working compass!
How the Hayes River Flows Through Knee Lake
The Hayes River is like the main highway for Knee Lake. It flows into and out of the lake, connecting it to other waterways.
River's Journey to Knee Lake
Before reaching Knee Lake, the Hayes River flows eastward out of another lake called Oxford Lake. On its way, the river goes over a waterfall known as Trout Falls. After the falls, the river gets wider and forms a long lake. This long lake then joins Knee Lake at its southwest corner.
River's Journey from Knee Lake
Once the Hayes River leaves the northeast end of Knee Lake, it continues its journey. After about 7 miles (about 11 kilometers), the river goes through four "portages." A portage is a place where voyageurs had to carry their canoes and goods over land to get around rapids or waterfalls.
Swampy Lake and the Dramstone
After these portages, the river widens again into Swampy Lake. At the eastern end of Swampy Lake, there's a special spot called the "dramstone." This was a famous place where voyageurs traveling west would stop. They would take a small drink (a "dram") to celebrate leaving the hardest part of the river behind them!
