Lac de Gras facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lac de Gras |
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Lac de Gras
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 Lac de Gras
Location in Northwest Territories
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| Location | Northwest Territories |
| Coordinates | 64°30′N 110°30′W / 64.500°N 110.500°W |
| Primary outflows | Coppermine River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 60 km (37 mi) |
| Max. width | 16 km (9.9 mi) |
| Surface area | 569 km2 (220 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 56 m (184 ft) |
| Shore length1 | 740 km (460 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 396 m (1,299 ft) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lac de Gras is a large lake in the Northwest Territories of Canada. It is about 300 kilometres (190 mi) northeast of Yellowknife. This lake became very famous in the 1990s because of a "diamond rush."
Local Indigenous people used to call this lake Ekati. Today, it is still an important place for finding diamonds.
Discovering Diamonds
Lac de Gras was the center of a big search for diamonds in the 1990s. Many people came to the area hoping to find these valuable gems.
Today, there are two active diamond mines near the lake. These are the Diavik Diamond Mine and the Ekati Diamond Mine. There was also the Snap Lake Diamond Mine, which is now closed.
Miners use special methods to get diamonds from the ground. At places like the Diavik Diamond Mine, they use explosives. This helps them dig out a type of rock called kimberlite, which often contains diamonds.
Fish and Wildlife
Lac de Gras is a very clear and clean lake. It has cold water, which is perfect for certain types of fish. The lake supports a steady population of about eight different fish species.
The most common fish in the lake is the lake trout. These fish are found in large numbers. Other native fish species living here include round whitefish, cisco, and common whitefish. You can also find Arctic grayling, burbot, longnose sucker, and slimy sculpin.
Lake Features
Lac de Gras is a large lake with a surface area of about 569 km2 (220 sq mi). Its deepest point is around 56 m (184 ft).
A smaller lake called Lac du Sauvage flows into Lac de Gras. It connects through a narrow stream called the Narrows. This stream is about 45 m (148 ft) wide and 210 m (690 ft) long. The Narrows is important because fish use it to move between the two lakes.
