McSweeney Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McSweeney Lake |
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 McSweeney Lake
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Canada, Quebec, Mauricie, La Tuque |
| Coordinates | 48°38′34″N 74°46′11″W / 48.64278°N 74.76972°W |
| Type | Reservoir lake |
| Primary inflows | Marmette Lake, Magnan Lake. |
| Primary outflows | passe de la Tête du Magnan, Nevers Lake, Brochu Lake. |
| Max. length | 34.7 kilometres (21.6 mi) |
| Max. width | 6.7 kilometres (4.2 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 402 metres (1,319 ft) (altitude varying according to the water management of the Gouin dam) |
Lake McSweeney is a large freshwater lake located in the middle of the Gouin Reservoir in Quebec, Canada. It's part of the town of La Tuque in the Mauricie region. This lake stretches across parts of the McSweeney, Magnan, Marmette, and Brochu areas.
The lake is a popular spot for fun activities like boating and fishing. It's in a great location, connecting Marmette Lake, Magnan Lake, and Nevers Lake. Roads like route 212 help people get to the lake from places like Obedjiwan. Other smaller forest roads are also used for logging and outdoor adventures.
Lake McSweeney usually freezes over from mid-November until the end of April. It's generally safe to be on the ice from early December to late March. The water level can change a lot, especially in late winter, as water is released from the Gouin dam to prepare for spring melting.
How McSweeney Lake Was Formed
Before the La Loutre Dam was built in 1916, McSweeney Lake was much smaller. The dam created the huge Gouin Reservoir. Then, in 1948, the water level of the Gouin Reservoir was raised again when the Gouin Dam was developed. This is when Lake McSweeney grew to its current size and shape.
Exploring McSweeney Lake
McSweeney Lake is quite large, measuring about 34.7 kilometres (21.6 mi) long and 6.7 kilometres (4.2 mi) wide. It's surrounded by many interesting bays, islands, and other lakes.
- North-West Side: This area has a long peninsula and a group of islands called the Kaoskiskanikak Islands. There's also a large, oddly shaped island that connects to Marmette Lake and Kawawiekamak Lake.
- South-East Side: Here you'll find several islands, including one that forms the eastern shore of the Passe de la Tête du Magnan. Another large island includes the outlet of Lake Duchet. There's also a peninsula that separates Mikisiw Amirikanan Lake from Ganipi Bay.
- South-West Side: This part includes Ganipi Bay, which gets water from Lake Kawacekamik.
The water from McSweeney Lake flows out towards the south. It travels about 75.1 kilometres (46.7 mi) southeast to the Gouin Dam. Along the way, it passes through southern Marmette bay, then connects to Nevers Lake and Brochu Lake. Finally, the water reaches Kikendatch Bay and then the Gouin Dam. From the Gouin Dam, the water flows into the Saint-Maurice River, which eventually joins the Saint Lawrence River at Trois-Rivières.
Name Origin
Lake McSweeney gets its name because it's the biggest lake in the McSweeney Township. The name first appeared on a map in 1940. The township itself, along with nearby areas like Magnan, Toussaint, and Lacasse, was named after Daniel McSweeney. He was a teacher at the Laval Normal School in Quebec from 1864 to 1887. He married Brigit O'Byrne in 1857.
Sometimes, Lake McSweeney is also known as Baie Marmette Nord.
