Lake Rossignol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Rossignol |
|
---|---|
Location | Queens County, Nova Scotia |
Coordinates | 44°10′47″N 65°07′33″W / 44.17972°N 65.12583°W |
Basin countries | Canada |
Lake Rossignol is the biggest freshwater lake in Nova Scotia, Canada. You can find it in the southwestern part of the province. It's a very important lake, not just for its size, but also for its history and how it helps provide electricity.
Contents
How Lake Rossignol Was Made
Lake Rossignol is not a natural lake. It is a reservoir, which is like a giant storage area for water. It was created in 1929. A company called the Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited built a dam across the Mersey River.
Why Was the Dam Built?
The dam was built to make electricity. This power was used for a large paper mill located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) downstream in a town called Brooklyn. The mill needed a lot of electricity to turn wood into paper.
Lakes That Became One
When the dam was built, the water level rose a lot. This caused many smaller lakes and rivers to join together. Over a dozen former lakes became part of Lake Rossignol. Some of these old lakes included First Lake, Second Lake, Third Lake (which was also called Lake Rossignol), and Fourth Lake. Other lakes that joined were Yeadon Lake, Davis Lake, and Annis Lake.
Exploring Lake Rossignol
Lake Rossignol is huge! Because it is so big, strong winds can create large waves on its surface. This can make the lake a challenging place for small boats.
Staying Safe on the Water
The lake also has many trees and rocks hidden underwater. The water level can change quite a bit because of how much water is needed at the dam. These things together mean that Lake Rossignol can be dangerous for canoes and other small boats. It's important to be careful and know the conditions before going out on the water.
Canoeing and Exploring
Even with its challenges, Lake Rossignol is a popular spot for outdoor adventures. Many guides are available that show the best routes for canoeing and exploring the lake and the areas around it. These guides help people discover the beauty of this large Nova Scotian lake safely.