Maltby Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maltby Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Maltby Lake
Location in British Columbia
|
|
| Location | British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 48°29′47″N 123°27′5″W / 48.49639°N 123.45139°W |
| Primary inflows | Unnamed Maltby Lake Tributaries |
| Primary outflows | Little Maltby Lake, Bleathman Creek |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 400 m (1,300 ft) |
| Max. width | 260 m (850 ft) |
| Surface area | 74,869.9 m2 (805,893 sq ft) |
| Average depth | 4.1 m (13 ft) |
| Max. depth | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Water volume | 292,000 m3 (10,300,000 cu ft) (on average) |
| Surface elevation | 54 m (177 ft) |
Maltby Lake is a beautiful freshwater lake. It is found on the southwestern part of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The lake is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of Victoria, British Columbia. It is a very important part of the Tod Creek Watershed.
Maltby Lake is like the starting point for the Tod Creek Watershed. This watershed is a natural area where all the water flows into one main stream. The water from Maltby Lake eventually reaches the famous Butchart Gardens.
Contents
About Maltby Lake
Maltby Lake is a very clean freshwater source. It is located in a mostly rural area on the Saanich Peninsula. This area is still developing, but the lake remains untouched.
A Home for Wildlife
The lake and the land around it are home to many different animals and plants. You can find lots of wildlife here. There are also unique water creatures, like freshwater jellyfish. One of the biggest Douglas fir trees in the Greater Victoria area also grows near the lake.
A Family's Care
For more than 100 years, Maltby Lake and its surrounding lands have been owned by one family. They have taken great care to keep the area natural. They built very few things on the property. An old hunting cabin from the 1860s, which later became a farmhouse, is still standing.
The family has also made rules to protect the lake. Since the 1950s, motorized boats have not been allowed on the water. This helps keep the lake clean. The lake even provides drinking water for the few people who live there. The family works hard to keep this special place safe, even as land taxes go up.
The Tod Creek Watershed
Maltby Lake is the most important body of water in the Tod Creek Watershed. It might even be the most important on the whole Saanich Peninsula. The Tod Creek Watershed covers a large area, about 22.8 square kilometers (8.8 square miles).
Other lakes like Prospect Lake, Durrance Lake, and Quarry Lake are also part of the Tod Creek drainage area. Maltby Lake plays a key role in keeping this entire water system healthy.
Learning from the Lake
Scientists have studied Maltby Lake many times. For example, Camosun College did an environmental study there. A student also completed a PhD study focusing on frogs in the area. There is also an ongoing study about how water moves in and around the lake. These studies help us understand and protect this valuable natural resource.
