Lake St. Martin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lake St. Martin
Lake St. Martin is east of Lake Manitoba
Lake St. Martin Location in Manitoba
Location	Manitoba
Coordinates	51°37′1″N 98°28′58″W / 51.61694°N 98.48278°W / 51.61694; -98.48278
Primary inflows	Fairford River
Primary outflows	Dauphin River (to Lake Winnipeg)
Basin countries	Canada

Lake St. Martin is a lake in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It is found in the Interlake Region, which is a piece of land between two very large lakes: Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg. Lake St. Martin plays an important role in connecting these bigger lakes.

Where is Lake St. Martin?

Lake St. Martin is located in the central part of Manitoba, a province in Canada. It sits right between Lake Manitoba to its west and Lake Winnipeg to its east. This area is known for its many lakes and rivers.

How Water Flows Through the Lake

Water flows into Lake St. Martin mainly from the Fairford River. This river starts at Portage Bay in Lake Manitoba. So, water from Lake Manitoba travels through the Fairford River to reach Lake St. Martin.

From Lake St. Martin, the water continues its journey. The Dauphin River flows northeastward out of Lake St. Martin. This river then carries the water all the way to Lake Winnipeg, which is one of the largest lakes in Canada.

Controlling the Water Levels

To manage the amount of water flowing into and out of Lake St. Martin, there are special structures. The Fairford River Control Structure helps to regulate the water flow from Lake Manitoba into Lake St. Martin. There is also the Lake St. Martin Emergency Channel. These controls are important for managing water levels, especially during times of heavy rain or melting snow.

The Fairford River Water Control Structure helps control water flow.

Impact of Flooding

In 2011, a big flood happened because of the Assiniboine River. This flood caused a lot of water to flow into Lake St. Martin. Because of this, some communities near the lake were badly affected. People living in these areas, including members of the Lake St. Martin First Nation, had to move out of their homes because the water made their settlements unsafe. Efforts have been made to help these communities recover and rebuild.