Lake Diefenbaker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Diefenbaker |
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NASA satellite image of Lake Diefenbaker
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 Lake Diefenbaker
Location in Canada
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| Location | Saskatchewan |
| Coordinates | 51°01′53″N 106°50′09″W / 51.03139°N 106.83583°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | South Saskatchewan River |
| Primary outflows | South Saskatchewan River Qu'Appelle River |
| Catchment area | 135,500 km2 (52,300 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 225 kilometres (140 mi) |
| Max. width | 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) |
| Surface area | 430 km2 (170 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 21.6 metres (71 ft) |
| Max. depth | 66 metres (217 ft) |
| Water volume | 9.4 km3 (7,600,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Residence time | 2.5 years |
| Shore length1 | 800 kilometres (500 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 556.8 metres (1,827 ft) above sea level (full supply level) |
| Islands | none |
| Settlements | Elbow, Mistusinne |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Diefenbaker is a large, human-made lake in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. It is also known as a reservoir, which is a lake created to store water. This lake is special because it's also a bifurcation lake. This means its water flows into two different river systems.
The lake was created by building two big dams: the Gardiner Dam and the Qu'Appelle River Dam. These dams were built across the South Saskatchewan River and the Qu'Appelle River. Construction started in 1959, and the lake was completely filled by 1967.
Lake Diefenbaker is about 225 kilometres (140 mi) long. Its shoreline stretches for about 800 kilometres (500 mi). The deepest part of the lake is 66 metres (217 ft). The water level changes throughout the year, usually by 3 to 9 metres (9 to 27 feet).
This important lake provides water for many uses. It supplies water for farming (irrigation) and for towns to drink. Before the dams were built, the South Saskatchewan River often had dangerous ice conditions in Saskatoon. The Qu'Appelle River would sometimes dry up in the summer. Now, the dams help control the river flow.
Lake Diefenbaker is the biggest body of water in southern Saskatchewan. It was named after John G. Diefenbaker, who was a former Prime Minister of Canada.
Contents
Fun Activities at Lake Diefenbaker
Lake Diefenbaker is a popular spot for outdoor fun! Many parks are located along its shores. These include Danielson Provincial Park, Douglas Provincial Park, Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park, and Palliser Regional Park.
Things to Do
You can enjoy many activities at the lake, such as:
The town of Elbow, Saskatchewan has a marina. This is a place where boats can be stored. You can also rent house boats there for a unique experience on the water.
Riverhurst Ferry
The only ferry still operating on Lake Diefenbaker is the Riverhurst Ferry. It's a special cable ferry that helps people cross the lake near Riverhurst.
Wildlife and Nature
Lake Diefenbaker is home to many different kinds of fish and other wildlife. It's a great place to learn about nature.
Fish Species
The lake has 26 different types of fish. Some of these fish are native to the lake, while others have been added. You might find:
- Burbot
- Walleye
- Northern pike
- Lake whitefish
- Lake trout
- Sauger
- Goldeye
- Cisco
- Yellow perch
- Rainbow trout
- Lake sturgeon
- Longnose sucker
- White sucker
- Shorthead redhorse
- Atlantic Salmon
Did you know? Both the world-record rainbow trout and world-record burbot were caught in Lake Diefenbaker! It's one of only two places in Saskatchewan where rainbow trout naturally reproduce.
Other Animals
The sandy beaches around the lake are important for the endangered piping plover. This is a small bird that needs these specific habitats to survive.
Lake Shore Changes
The long, open areas of water and soft shore materials mean that the lake's shores can wear away. This process is called erosion. Between 1968 and 1992, the banks often receded up to 3 metres each year. This happens faster in areas that are more exposed to the water.
