Pilot crater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pilot Lake |
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Satellite image (Landsat)
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 Pilot Lake
Location in Northwest Territories
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| Location | Northwest Territories |
| Coordinates | 60°17′N 111°0′W / 60.283°N 111.000°W |
| Type | Impact crater lake |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Surface area | 43 km2 (17 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 90 m (300 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 255 m (837 ft) |
| Islands | 9 |
Pilot Lake is a very special lake located in the Northwest Territories, Canada. It sits inside a huge, bowl-shaped hole called an impact crater. This crater was formed millions of years ago when a large space rock, like an asteroid, crashed into Earth. The lake itself is known for its incredibly clear, clean water and the many fish that live there.
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Pilot Lake: A Window to Earth's Past
Pilot Lake is found just north of the Alberta border, not far from the town of Fort Smith. The crater that holds the lake is about 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) wide. Scientists believe this massive impact happened around 445 million years ago. That's even before the dinosaurs walked the Earth! This makes it a very old and important geological site.
What is an Impact Crater?
An impact crater is a large, circular hole left on a planet's surface after a space object, such as a meteoroid or asteroid, crashes into it. When these objects hit, they create a huge explosion. This explosion digs out a big hole and pushes rocks and dirt outwards, forming a raised rim around the crater. Over millions of years, water can fill these craters, creating unique lakes like Pilot Lake.
The Pristine Waters of Pilot Lake
Pilot Lake itself covers an area of about 43 square kilometres (16 square miles). It's also quite deep, reaching down to 90 metres (300 feet) in some places. The water in Pilot Lake is known for being very clean and clear. This makes it a great home for many types of fish.
Life in Pilot Lake
The lake is full of different kinds of fish, making it a popular spot for recreational fishing. You can find many Lake trout, northern pike, whitefish, and pickerel swimming in its waters. These fish thrive in the lake's clean environment. During the summer, people often visit Pilot Lake to enjoy fishing and experience its natural beauty.
