Muriel Lake (Alberta) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Muriel Lake |
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 Muriel Lake
Location in Alberta
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| Location | Bonnyville No. 87, Alberta |
| Coordinates | 54°08′46″N 110°41′21″W / 54.14611°N 110.68917°W |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 10.7 km (6.6 mi) |
| Max. width | 10.6 km (6.6 mi) |
| Surface area | 64.1 km2 (24.7 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 6.6 m (22 ft) |
| Max. depth | 10.7 m (35 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 559 m (1,834 ft) |
Muriel Lake is a special kind of lake found in Alberta, Canada. It's known as a closed basin lake. This means water flows into it, but no rivers or streams flow out. Since the 1980s, the amount of water in Muriel Lake has been slowly getting lower.
Contents
Discover Muriel Lake
Muriel Lake is a natural body of water located in the Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87 in Alberta. It is an important part of the local environment. The lake is quite large, covering an area of about 64.1 square kilometers (24.7 square miles).
Size and Depth
Muriel Lake is nearly round in shape. It measures about 10.7 kilometers (6.6 miles) long and 10.6 kilometers (6.6 miles) wide. The average depth of the lake is around 6.6 meters (21.7 feet). At its deepest point, Muriel Lake reaches about 10.7 meters (35.1 feet) down. The lake sits at an elevation of 559 meters (1,834 feet) above sea level.
What is a Closed Basin Lake?
Muriel Lake is a closed basin lake. This means it does not have any rivers or streams flowing out of it. Water enters the lake from rainfall, snowmelt, and underground sources. However, the only way water leaves the lake is through evaporation into the air.
Because there's no outflow, the water level in a closed basin lake can change a lot. It depends on how much water comes in and how much evaporates. This makes these lakes very sensitive to changes in weather and climate.
Why is the Water Level Changing?
Since 1980, the water level in Muriel Lake has been steadily going down. This decline can be caused by several factors. Less rainfall or snowmelt in the area means less water flowing into the lake. Warmer temperatures can also increase evaporation, causing more water to leave the lake as vapor.
Changes in water levels can affect the plants and animals that live in and around the lake. It can also impact how people use the lake for activities like fishing or boating. Scientists often study these changes to understand the health of the lake and its surrounding environment.
