Pakowki Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pakowki Lake |
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Pakowki Lake, aerial photograph, August 2013
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 Pakowki Lake
Location in Alberta
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| Location | County of Forty Mile No. 8, Alberta |
| Coordinates | 49°18′24″N 110°54′18″W / 49.30667°N 110.90500°W |
| Lake type | endorheic, slough |
| Primary inflows | Etzikom Coulee, Irrigation Creek, Erickson Coulee, Ketchum Creek, Canal Creek, Bond Coulee, Bryant Coulee |
| Primary outflows | none |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 35 km (22 mi) |
| Max. width | 8 km (5.0 mi) |
| Surface area | 123 km2 (47 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 1.2 km2 (0.46 sq mi) |
| Surface elevation | 860 m (2,820 ft) |
Pakowki Lake is a special lake in Alberta, Canada. It is located in the prairies of southern Alberta. This lake is unique because it is an endorheic lake, meaning water flows into it but does not flow out. It is also known as a slough, which means its water levels can change a lot.
Pakowki Lake is found south of Etzikom, Alberta. The former town of Pakowki is not far north. This town may have gotten its name from the lake.
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About Pakowki Lake
Pakowki Lake is located in the County of Forty Mile No. 8. It sits at an elevation of about 860 metres (2,820 ft) above sea level. Many small streams and coulees feed water into the lake. These include Etzikom Coulee, Irrigation Creek, and Ketchum Creek.
How Big is it?
Pakowki Lake can cover an area of up to 123 square kilometres (47 sq mi). This makes it one of the largest lakes in Alberta. However, its size changes depending on how much water flows into it.
What's in a Name?
The name "Pakowki" comes from the Blackfoot language. It means "bad water." The lake got this name because it has no outflow. This can cause the water to smell bad sometimes. During very wet periods, the lake can overflow. When this happens, water flows through a channel into the Milk River. The Milk River is about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) south of the lake.
A Special Place for Wildlife
Pakowki Lake is a very important home for many animals. The Pakowki Lake Provincial Bird Sanctuary was created to protect the lake and its surroundings. This area is a key stop for many waterfowl and waders. These birds use the lake as a resting and feeding spot during their long migrations.
The lake is also recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA). This means it is globally important for bird conservation. Organizations like Bird Studies Canada and Bird Life International list it as a significant site. Even so, the lake does not have full federal or provincial protected status.
Birds at the Lake
Many different kinds of birds can be seen at Pakowki Lake. Some common species include:
Other Animals and Plants
Besides birds, many mammals live around the lake's shores. You might see:
The lake is part of a unique sand dune and wetland area. This environment is typical of the Grassland biome. Some special plants grow on the lake shores. These include the threatened Western Spiderwort and vulnerable Smooth Goosefoot. The lake itself does not have any fish species.
A Challenge for Birds
In some years, a natural problem called avian botulism affects the lake. This can cause many birds to get sick and die. Government studies have looked into this issue. They have found that it is difficult to prevent this natural occurrence.
