McKay Lake (Pic River) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McKay Lake |
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 McKay Lake
Location in Ontario
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| Location | Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada |
| Coordinates | 49°36′48″N 86°26′17″W / 49.61333°N 86.43806°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Primary inflows | Pout River, Sandlink Creek |
| Primary outflows | Pic River |
| Max. length | 19 km (12 mi) |
| Max. width | 6 km (3.7 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 321 m (1,053 ft) |
McKay Lake is a beautiful lake located in northwestern Ontario, Canada. It is part of the huge Lake Superior drainage basin, which means its waters eventually flow into Lake Superior. This lake is also the starting point of the Pic River.
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Discover McKay Lake!
McKay Lake is an interesting natural feature in Ontario. It plays an important role in the local water system.
Where is McKay Lake?
McKay Lake is found in the eastern part of the Thunder Bay District in Ontario, Canada. It's located in a more remote area of the province. The lake is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) southwest of the main Canadian National Railway line. It is also about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) south of Ontario Highway 11. The small community of Caramat is about 17 kilometers (10.6 miles) west of the lake.
How Big is the Lake?
McKay Lake is quite large! It stretches for about 19 kilometers (11.8 miles) in length. The lake is also about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) wide. It sits at an elevation of 321 meters (1,053 feet) above sea level.
Water In and Out
Lakes usually have water flowing into them and out of them. For McKay Lake, the main rivers and creeks that bring water in are called inflows. These include the Pout River and Sandlink Creek. There is also an unnamed creek that flows in from Little McKay Lake.
The main river that flows out of McKay Lake is the Pic River. This outflow happens at a spot called Outlet Bay, which is at the southeast tip of the lake. The water flow here is controlled by the McKay Lake Dam.
Islands and Bays
McKay Lake has some interesting features within its waters. There is a large piece of land in the middle of the lake called Big Island. This island is surrounded by different channels of water. These channels are known as the North, Morrin, South, and West Channels.
The lake also has several named bays. These are smaller sections of the lake that curve inward from the main body of water. Some of the bays you can find at McKay Lake include Boot Bay and Portage Bay, both located in the southwest. Reedy Bay is another named bay, found on the eastern side of the lake.
