Lac des Chats facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lac des Chats |
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 Lac des Chats
Location in Ontario
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| Location | Ontario / Quebec, Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°31′02″N 76°29′37″W / 45.51722°N 76.49361°W |
| Type | artificial |
| Primary inflows | Ottawa River |
| Primary outflows | Ottawa River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Settlements | Arnprior, Ontario |
Lac des Chats (which means Lake of Cats in English), often called Chats Lake, is a special lake on the Ottawa River in Canada. It forms a natural boundary between the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. This lake was created by the Chats Falls Dam. It acts like a giant storage area, or reservoir, for the Chats Falls Generating Station. This station uses the water to make electricity!
Most of Lac des Chats is found in the Pontiac Regional County Municipality, Quebec, and in Renfrew County, Ontario. However, the part closest to the dam is in Ottawa, Ontario, and in Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais Regional County Municipality, Quebec.
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What is Lac des Chats?
Lac des Chats is not a natural lake. It was formed when the Chats Falls Dam was built across the Ottawa River. Think of it like a huge bathtub that fills up with water behind a wall. This "bathtub" is called a reservoir.
Why was it created?
The main reason Lac des Chats was created was to help make electricity. The water stored in the reservoir is used by the Chats Falls Generating Station. This station is a type of power plant that uses the force of falling water to spin giant turbines. These turbines then create clean, renewable electricity for many homes and businesses.
Where is this lake located?
Lac des Chats is located in a very interesting spot. It stretches along the Ottawa River, which is a major river in Canada. What makes it unique is that it sits right on the border between two of Canada's largest provinces: Ontario and Quebec. So, if you were on the lake, you could be in Ontario on one side and Quebec on the other!
The lake is surrounded by different areas. On the Ontario side, you'll find parts of Renfrew County and the city of Ottawa. On the Quebec side, it touches the Pontiac Regional County Municipality and the Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais Regional County Municipality. The town of Arnprior, Ontario is also near the lake.
The Ottawa River Connection
The Ottawa River is a very important river in Canada. It flows for a long distance and connects many communities. Lac des Chats is a part of this river system. The river flows into the lake and then continues its journey downstream. This makes the lake a key part of the river's flow and its role in generating power.
