Marmette Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marmette Lake |
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 Marmette Lake
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Canada, Quebec, Mauricie, La Tuque |
| Coordinates | 48°38′21″N 74°52′24″W / 48.63917°N 74.87333°W |
| Type | Reservoir lake |
| Primary inflows | Toussaint Lake, Wapisiw Bay, Eskwaskwakamak Bay, |
| Primary outflows | McSweeney Lake |
| Max. length | 13.5 kilometres (8.4 mi) |
| Max. width | 5.3 kilometres (3.3 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 402 metres (1,319 ft) (altitude varying according to the water management of the Gouin dam) |
Lake Marmette is a freshwater lake in the middle of the Gouin Reservoir. It is located in the town of La Tuque, in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada. The lake is found southeast of the village of Obedjiwan.
This lake stretches across different areas called townships, including Toussaint and Marmette. It is a very important spot for fun activities like boating. Many people travel across Lake Marmette to explore other parts of the huge Gouin Reservoir.
The area around Lake Marmette is served by a road called route 212. This road connects the village of Obedjiwan to the eastern side of the Gouin Reservoir. It helps people get to Toussaint Lake and other bays. There are also smaller forest roads used for logging and outdoor fun.
Lake Marmette usually freezes over from mid-November until the end of April. It is generally safe to walk or travel on the ice from early December to late March. The water level can change a lot. This happens because of how the Gouin Dam manages the water, especially in late winter before the spring melt.
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How the Lake Changed
Before 1916, Lake Marmette was much smaller. That year, the La Loutre Dam was built, which created the Gouin Reservoir. This made Lake Marmette grow.
Then, in 1948, the Gouin Dam was made even bigger. This caused the water level to rise again. After this, Lake Marmette took on the size and shape it has today.
Rivers and Bays Around the Lake
Lake Marmette is connected to many other bodies of water. These are like its neighbors.
- To the north, you'll find:
* Wapisiw Bay * Eskwaskwakamak Bay * Kawawiekamak Lake * Toussaint River
- To the east, there are:
* McSweeney Lake * Magnan Lake * Brochu Lake
- To the south, you can find:
* Bureau Lake * Nemio River * Mikisiw Amirikanan Lake
- To the west, there are:
* Toussaint Lake * Kanatakompeak Bay * Aiapew Bay * Bourgeois Lake * Lake du Mâle
Size and Shape of Lake Marmette
Lake Marmette is about 13.5 kilometres (8.4 mi) long. At its widest point, it measures about 5.3 kilometres (3.3 mi).
Here's how the lake is shaped:
- To the West: There's a long piece of land that goes north. This land is near Bureau Lake. It leads to a narrow passage about 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) wide. This passage connects Lake Marmette to Toussaint Lake.
- To the North: There's an island about 0.9 kilometres (0.56 mi) across. It's very close to the eastern part of Obedjiwan. This island helps mark the southern edge of Wapisiw Bay.
- To the Northeast: You'll see a long, narrow island. It's about 2.6 kilometres (1.6 mi) long. This island separates Lake Marmette from Kawawiekamak Lake. There's also a very large island, about 22.0 kilometres (13.7 mi) long, that stretches southeast. This big island is bordered by Kawawiekamak Lake to the north and McSweeney Lake to the south.
- To the East: There's a group of islands. The longest one is about 6.2 kilometres (3.9 mi) long. These islands mark the northwestern part of McSweeney Lake.
Where the Water Flows
The water from Lake Marmette flows out from its eastern side. It travels about 76.8 kilometres (47.7 mi) east and then southeast. This journey takes the water through McSweeney Lake, Nevers Lake, Brochu Lake, and Kikendatch Bay.
Eventually, all this water reaches the Gouin Dam. From the dam, the water flows into the Saint-Maurice River. The Saint-Maurice River then continues all the way to Trois-Rivières. There, it joins the mighty St. Lawrence River.
Naming of the Lake
The name "Lac Marmette" was officially recognized on December 18, 1986. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the group in charge of naming places in Quebec.
