Martin Lake (British Columbia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Martin Lake |
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Aerial View of Martin Lake
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 Martin Lake
Location in British Columbia
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Bathymetric view of Martin Lake
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| Location | British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 51°57′N 124°35′W / 51.950°N 124.583°W |
| Primary inflows | Seven seasonal streams |
| Primary outflows | None |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 7 km (4.3 mi) |
| Max. width | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
| Surface area | 4.7188 km2 (1.8219 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 3.7 m (12 ft) |
| Max. depth | 15.2 m (50 ft) |
| Water volume | 0.01746 cubic kilometres (0.00419 cu mi) |
| Residence time | No outflow |
| Shore length1 | 20.8 km (12.9 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 969 m (3,179 ft) |
| Islands | None |
| Settlements | Tatla Lake, British Columbia |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Martin Lake is a freshwater lake located in the West Chilcotin area of British Columbia, Canada. It sits just north of the community of Tatla Lake, British Columbia. This lake is special because it is an endorheic lake. This means it has no physical outflow, so water leaves mostly by sinking into the ground or evaporating.
Because there is no outflow, the lake's water level has been slowly dropping over time. Since the 1980s, Martin Lake has actually split into two separate lakes. A piece of land now connects the two parts.
The lake is a popular spot for swimming in the summer. Its shallow depths and lack of water flowing in and out help keep the water warmer. This makes it more comfortable than other lakes in the Chilcotin region. The annual Tatla Lake gymkhana is also held here every June. A gymkhana is a fun event with horse riding games.
The area around Martin Lake is also great for cross-country skiing. Many trails link the town of Tatla Lake and the local school with Martin Lake.
Geography and Environment
Martin Lake is found on the Chilcotin Plateau. This area is about 968 meters (3,176 feet) above sea level. The land around the lake is quite flat. This makes it perfect for activities like cross-country skiing.
The climate here is dry. This allows for wide-open grasslands mixed with forests of lodgepole pine trees. These open areas, along with an old abandoned airstrip, offer amazing views. You can see the snow-capped Coast Mountains in the distance.
It is quite common to spot the famous Chilcotin wild horses in this area. They often roam freely near the lake.
Water Characteristics
The water in Martin Lake is quite basic, with a pH of 8.5. This means it's not acidic. The lake also has a high amount of dissolved solids. These are tiny bits of minerals and other substances in the water. At the surface, it has 757 parts per million (ppm). This is the highest of any lake in the Chilcotin. It means the water is very "hard."
