List of lakes of Ontario: B facts for kids

This is a list of lakes of Ontario beginning with the letter B.

Discovering Ontario's Lakes: The "B" List!

Ontario, a huge province in Canada, is famous for having tons of lakes! In fact, it has over 250,000 lakes, which is about one-fifth of the world's freshwater. That's a lot of water! This article is like a special guide to some of the lakes in Ontario whose names start with the letter "B." While we can't list every single one, we'll explore what makes these lakes so cool and important.

Why Are There So Many Lakes in Ontario?

Many of Ontario's lakes were formed thousands of years ago. Giant sheets of ice, called glaciers, moved across the land. As they moved, they carved out huge hollows in the ground. When the glaciers melted, these hollows filled up with water, creating the beautiful lakes we see today. This process also left behind lots of rocks and soil, shaping the landscape around the lakes.

What Kinds of Lakes Are on the "B" List?

The lakes starting with "B" are super diverse! They range from tiny ponds to large, well-known lakes. Some are deep and clear, perfect for swimming and fishing. Others are shallow and marshy, providing homes for lots of wildlife. Many of these lakes are in wild, untouched areas, while others are close to towns and cities.

Big Lakes and Small Ponds

You'll find all sizes of lakes on this list. For example, Balsam Lake is one of the larger ones. It's part of the Kawartha Lakes chain, which is a popular spot for boating and cottaging. On the other hand, there are many smaller lakes, sometimes called "ponds," that might be hidden gems. These smaller bodies of water are often important for local plants and animals.

Lakes for Fun and Nature

Many "B" lakes are great for outdoor activities. People love to go:

• Fishing for bass, pike, or trout.
• Canoeing or kayaking on calm waters.
• Swimming on hot summer days.
• Watching birds and other wildlife.

Some lakes, like those in Algonquin Provincial Park (which has many "B" lakes like Brule Lake), are protected areas. This means they are kept wild and natural for everyone to enjoy and for animals to thrive.

Interesting Names on the "B" List

Some lake names are quite unique! You might wonder how they got their names.

• Baby Lake: Perhaps it's a very small lake, or maybe it's near a larger "parent" lake.
• Bad Medicine Lake: This name sounds mysterious! It might come from an old story or a local legend.
• Banana Lake: This one is fun! Maybe the lake is shaped like a banana, or perhaps there's a story about bananas nearby.
• Bear Lake: Many lakes are named after animals that live nearby, like bears!
• Black Lake: The water in some lakes can look very dark, especially if they are deep or surrounded by dark trees.
• Balsam Lake: This lake might be named after the balsam fir trees that grow in the area.

These names often tell us something about the lake's shape, its surroundings, or the history of the people who lived there.

The Importance of Ontario's Lakes

All these lakes, big or small, are super important. They provide:

• Clean drinking water for many communities.
• Homes for fish, birds, and other wildlife.
• Places for people to relax and have fun outdoors.
• Important natural resources.

Taking care of our lakes is a big job. It means keeping them clean and healthy so that future generations can enjoy them too.