Mesplet Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mesplet Lake |
|
|---|---|
Watershed of Nottaway River
|
|
 Mesplet Lake
Location in Quebec
|
|
| Location | Senneterre |
| Coordinates | 48°46′11″N 75°47′10″W / 48.76972°N 75.78611°W |
| Type | Reservoir lake |
| Primary inflows | from North: outlet of a set of lakes including Frank, Walley, Bud and « Lac aux Loutres »; from South-West: outlet of a set of about 20 lakes. |
| Primary outflows | Mesplet Pass. |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 20.3 kilometres (12.6 mi) |
| Max. width | 4.2 kilometres (2.6 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 393 metres (1,289 ft) |
Mesplet Lake is a beautiful freshwater lake located in the north-eastern part of Senneterre, a town in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region of Quebec, Canada. It's a key part of the Vallée-de-l'Or Regional County Municipality.
This lake is found within the Mesplet and Masères townships. The main activity around the lake is forestry, which means harvesting trees. After that, recreational tourism is very popular. People enjoy visiting Mesplet Lake for fun activities. The lake is also part of the Saint-Cyr Lake Biodiversity Reserve, a special area set aside to protect nature.
Getting to Mesplet Lake is possible using forest roads. One road goes north-south along the Saint-Cyr River Valley. Another road goes east-west and serves the northern part of the Saint-Cyr Lake Biodiversity Reserve.
The surface of Mesplet Lake usually freezes over from early November until mid-May. However, it's generally safe to walk or play on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
About Mesplet Lake's Geography
Mesplet Lake is quite long, stretching for about 20.3 kilometres (12.6 mi). At its widest point, it measures 4.2 kilometres (2.6 mi) across. The lake sits at an elevation of 393 metres (1,289 ft) above sea level, similar to other nearby lakes.
The lake has a unique and complex shape, looking a bit like a large, curvy "S" on its side.
- On the north-east side, there's a marshy area.
- The north-west end includes two bays: the Bay of Cedars (4.1 kilometres (2.5 mi) long) and "Baie de la Truite," which means Trout Bay (2.3 kilometres (1.4 mi) long).
- The south-eastern end has another bay (3.1 kilometres (1.9 mi) long) surrounded by marshes.
The water from Mesplet Lake flows out from its south shore through a channel called the "Mesplet Pass." This pass is 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) long and connects Mesplet Lake to Cherrier Lake.
Mesplet Lake is located:
- North of the mouth of Cherrier Lake.
- About 19.2 kilometres (11.9 mi) north-east of where the Saint-Cyr River South meets the Mégiscane River.
- About 24.1 kilometres (15.0 mi) north-east of the mouth of Mégiscane Lake. The Mégiscane River flows through this lake.
- About 106.1 kilometres (65.9 mi) north-east of the mouth of the Mégiscane River, where it joins Parent Lake.
- About 360.4 kilometres (223.9 mi) south-east of the mouth of the Nottaway River, which flows into Rupert Bay.
- About 62.2 kilometres (38.6 mi) west of the village of Obedjiwan.
- About 95.5 kilometres (59.3 mi) east of the village of Lebel-sur-Quévillon.
Rivers and Lakes Near Mesplet Lake
Many rivers and lakes are connected to or are near Mesplet Lake. These are called hydrographic slopes.
- To the north: Loutres Lake, Macho River, Panache River, and Fortier River (Panache River tributary).
- To the east: Robertine Lake, Barry Lake (Saint-Cyr River South), Bailly Lake (Saint-Cyr River South), Saint-Cyr River South, Aigle River (Doda Lake), and Pascagama River.
- To the south: Cherrier Lake, Saint-Cyr River South, Canusio Lake, Mégiscane Lake, Mégiscane River, and Kekek River.
- To the west: Masères Lake, Closse River, Macho River, Wetetnagami River, and Mégiscane River.
What's in a Name?
The name "Mesplet Lake" comes from the Mesplet township, which is the area of land where the lake is located.
The official name "lac Mesplet" was recognized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec. This commission is responsible for naming places in Quebec.
