Nitinat Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nitinat Lake |
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 Nitinat Lake
Location in British Columbia
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| Location | Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada |
| Coordinates | 48°45′00″N 124°45′00″W / 48.75000°N 124.75000°W |
| Type | lake and inlet |
Nitinat Lake is a large body of water on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is both a lake and an inlet from the ocean.
The lake is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northwest by road from Victoria. Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Nitinat Lake is also about 60 kilometers (37 miles) southwest by road from the town of Lake Cowichan. The town of Port Alberni is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) by road to the north.
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Exploring Nitinat Lake's Location
Nitinat Lake is surrounded by beautiful natural areas. The southern part of the lake is inside Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. This park is home to Nitinat Hill on the lake's north side and Nitinat Cone on the south side.
Rivers and Nearby Parks
The lake gets its fresh water from the Nitinat River and the Little Nitinat River. These rivers flow into the northern end of the lake.
Other parks are also close by. Hitchie Creek Provincial Park and the Nitinat Lake Ecological Reserve are on opposite sides of the lake. They are about one-third of the way down from the northern end. On the eastern shore, you can find Mt. Rosander and the base of Carmanah Mountain. Part of Carmanah Mountain is within Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park.
Connection to the Ocean
Nitinat Lake flows into the Pacific Ocean through a narrow passage called the Nitinat Narrows. This passage is about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) long. It is just north of where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific Ocean.
Sometimes, ocean waves called tidal bores travel up the Narrows. The size of these waves depends on how high the ocean tides are. These tidal bores can be dangerous, so it's important to be careful.
Water Mix: Salt and Fresh
Most of the water in Nitinat Lake is salt water from the ocean. However, there is a thin layer of lighter fresh water floating on top. This happens because fresh water is less dense than salt water.
Local Villages
The small First Nations village of Whyac is located on the southern shore of the lake. It is right next to the Nitinat Narrows. Just south of Whyac, on the coast, is another First Nations village called Clo-oose.
Fun Activities at Nitinat Lake
Nitinat Lake is famous for its strong, steady winds. These winds make it one of the best places in North America for kiteboarding and windsurfing. People who love these sports come from all over the world to enjoy the lake.
Other Lakes Nearby
There are many smaller lakes close to Nitinat Lake. Some of them, like Hobiton Lake, Squalicum Lake, Tsuiat Lake, and Cheewhat Lake, are completely inside Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Other lakes, such as Doobah Lake and Sprise Lake, are located between Pacific Rim National Park and Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park.
