Obatogamau Lakes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Obatogamau Lakes |
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Watershed of Nottaway River
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 Obatogamau Lakes
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Eeyou Istchee Baie-James |
| Coordinates | 49°35′37″N 74°27′20″W / 49.59361°N 74.45556°W |
| Type | Natural |
| Primary inflows | Nemenjiche River, Audet Creek |
| Primary outflows | Obatogamau River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 37.2 kilometres (23.1 mi) |
| Max. width | 19.6 kilometres (12.2 mi) |
| Surface area | 76 kilometres (47 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 365 metres (1,198 ft) |
| Settlements | Eeyou Istchee Baie-James |
The Obatogamau Lakes are a group of freshwater lakes. They are found in the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James area of Quebec, Canada. These lakes stretch across several different areas called cantons.
The main activity in this region is forestry, which means managing forests for wood. After forestry, tourism and fun outdoor activities are also very important.
You can get to the Obatogamau Lakes area by using Route 167. There is also a Canadian National Railway train line. Both of these routes connect the towns of Chibougamau and Saint-Félicien, Quebec.
The surface of the Obatogamau Lakes usually freezes over in early November. It stays frozen until mid-May. However, it's generally safe to walk or move on the ice from mid-November to mid-April.
Contents
Exploring the Lakes
The Obatogamau Lakes are located south of Chibougamau Lake. This large group of lakes is about 37.2 kilometres (23.1 mi) long. At its widest point, it measures 19.6 kilometres (12.2 mi). The lakes are about 365 metres (1,198 ft) above sea level.
The Obatogamau Lakes have many different parts. These include smaller lakes, wide bays, and long pieces of land sticking into the water called peninsulas. There are also hundreds of islands scattered across the lakes.
Water Flow and Connections
Water flows into the Obatogamau Lakes from two main sources. Audet Creek brings water from the northeast. The Nemenjiche River flows in from the south.
The Obatogamau River then drains all this water away. It flows out from a bay in the northwest part of the lakes. The Obatogamau River eventually joins the Chibougamau River.
The mouth of the Obatogamau Lakes is located:
- About 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) south of a bay in Chibougamau Lake.
- About 35 kilometres (22 mi) south of downtown Chibougamau.
- About 37.2 kilometres (23.1 mi) southeast of the village of Chapais, Quebec.
- About 82.3 kilometres (51.1 mi) east of where the Obatogamau River meets the Chibougamau River.
Nearby Rivers and Lakes
Many other rivers and lakes are close to the Obatogamau Lakes. These are part of the same water system.
- To the North: Dorés Lake, Chibougamau Lake, and the Chibougamau River.
- To the East: The Boisvert River and the Chaudière River.
- To the South: The Normandin River, Rohault Lake, Bouteville Lake, the Cawcot River, and Gabriel Lake.
- To the West: Eau Jaune Lake, the Irene River, and the Obatogamau River.
The Name of the Lakes
The name "Obatogamau lakes" was officially recognized in the early 1960s.
History of the Name
People knew about these lakes as early as 1870. Explorers like Albert Peter Low and Henry O'Sullivan wrote about them in the late 1800s. They used slightly different spellings, like Obatigoman or Obatogaman. In 1904, the Geographic Board of Canada officially listed the name as "Obatogamau."
The name "Obatogamau" comes from the Cree language. It means "lake with many narrow passages" or "lake surrounded by wood and plants."
In 1910, the Hudson's Bay Company built a small building on the eastern shore of Lake La Dauversière. This building was used for storage. Over time, it became known as "Lac-Obatogamau Deposit" and was recognized as a small locality in 1988.
Naming the Islands and Bays
The Obatogamau Lakes have hundreds of islands. Most of them don't have official names. However, the largest island is called Weaver Island. This name honors Kenneth Weaver, a pilot in World War II. He was a friend of geologist Paul Imbault.
In 1950, Paul Imbault led an expedition to this area. He gave names to different parts of the lakes:
- Lakes La Dauversière and Le Royer: Named after Jerome Le Royer of La Dauversière, who helped start the Compagnie de Saint-Sulpice.
- Lakes Verneuil and Chevrier Lake: Named after Jean-Jacques Olier of Verneuil and Pierre Chevrier, who were also members of that company.
- Lake Holmes: Named after Stanley Holmes, one of Imbault's assistants.
The name "Lacs Obatogamau" was made official on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec.
