Mahoney Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mahoney Lake |
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Winter Morning at Meromictic Mahoney Lake
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 Mahoney Lake
Location in British Columbia
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| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Length | 895 km (556 mi) |
| Area | 18 ha (44 acres) |
| Elevation | 472 m (1,549 ft) |
| Established | 1972 |
Mahoney Lake is a very special place located near Okanagan Falls in British Columbia, Canada. It's known as a meromictic and saline lake. This means its water doesn't mix completely, and it's quite salty. The lake was made an ecological reserve in 1972. This was done to protect its unique features.
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Discover Mahoney Lake's Unique Features
Mahoney Lake is not like most lakes you know. It has a very special way its water is layered. This layering creates a perfect home for unusual life forms.
What Makes Mahoney Lake So Special?
The lake's water is divided into different layers. The very bottom layer is super salty. It also contains a gas called hydrogen sulphide (H2S). This gas helps tiny living things called purple sulphur bacteria to grow. These bacteria live in the layer just above the salty bottom. Here, they get just enough sunlight to thrive. The top layer of the lake is made of fresher water. This top layer mixes more easily.
Why is the Water Unique?
Mahoney Lake is also special because it's alkaline. This means its water is more basic than acidic. It doesn't have any rivers flowing into or out of it. This helps keep its unique water chemistry. The lake also has very low levels of oxygen. Its pH level is usually between 7.5 and 9.0. This makes it a very unusual environment. The lake's surface covers about 18 hectares. The land around it is 21 hectares. Together, the protected area is 21 hectares.
Protecting This Special Place
Mahoney Lake was set aside as an ecological reserve in 1972. This means it's a protected area. The goal is to keep its unique features safe. Scientists study the lake to learn more about its special ecosystem. Protecting places like Mahoney Lake helps us understand our planet better. It also keeps rare forms of life safe for the future.
