Rice Lake (Ontario) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rice Lake |
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Sunset
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 Rice Lake
Location in Southern Ontario
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| Location | Ontario |
| Group | south of Kawartha lakes (Ontario) |
| Coordinates | 44°11′N 78°10′W / 44.183°N 78.167°W |
| Primary inflows | Otonabee River |
| Primary outflows | Trent River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 32 km (20 mi) |
| Max. width | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Max. depth | 27 ft (8.2 m) |
| Surface elevation | 187 m (614 ft) |
| Islands | Cow |
| Settlements | Bewdley, Gores Landing, Hastings, Bailieboro, Roseneath |
Rice Lake is a beautiful lake in southeastern Ontario, Canada. It stretches across Northumberland and Peterborough counties. You can find it south of the city of Peterborough and north of Cobourg.
This lake is an important part of the Trent-Severn Waterway. The Otonabee River flows into Rice Lake, and the Trent River flows out. The lake is about 28 kilometers (17 miles) long and 5 kilometers (3 miles) wide. Its deepest point is about 10 meters (33 feet). The water level is 187 meters (614 feet) above sea level. This level was raised when the Hastings Dam was built in the 1800s. The dam is part of the Trent-Severn canal system.
Long ago, the native people called this lake Pemadashdakota. This name means "lake of the burning plains."
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Why is it called Rice Lake?
Rice Lake got its name from the wild rice that used to grow there. Native people in the area harvested this rice for food. However, when the Hastings Dam was built, the water levels in the lake went up. This caused most of the wild rice plants to disappear.
What is the land like around Rice Lake?
Northwest of Rice Lake, there is a special type of landform called a drumlin field. Drumlins are small, oval-shaped hills made of earth. Many of the islands in Rice Lake are actually parts of these drumlins that are partly underwater.
Rice Lake also almost cuts through a large ridge called the Oak Ridges Moraine. This moraine is a long, hilly area formed by glaciers.
Communities and History around the Lake
Many towns and villages are located around Rice Lake. On the west side, you'll find Bewdley. On the east side is the town of Hastings.
Along the north shore of the lake, you can visit Serpent Mounds Park. This park is home to ancient burial mounds built by early peoples. There are also two First Nations Reserves nearby: Alderville and Hiawatha. Other communities around the lake include Roseneath, Bailieboro, Gores Landing, Keene, Ontario, and Harwood.
The Old Railway Bridge
In 1854, a railway bridge was built across Rice Lake. It was part of the Cobourg and Peterborough Railway. This bridge was about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long and made of wooden structures called trestles. It connected Harwood to Hiawatha.
However, the bridge did not last long. The thick ice that formed on the lake in winter caused a lot of damage. After only six years, the bridge was declared unsafe and closed. You can still see parts of the old railway path on the south side of the lake today.
Before and after the railway bridge, steamboats were very important. They carried both people and goods across the lake. These steamboats could even travel up the Otonabee River all the way to Peterborough.
Fun on Rice Lake: Tourism and Fishing
Even after the railway bridge failed, the Cobourg railway still ran to Harwood. It helped transport iron ore from mines further east. The ore was brought by barge up the Trent River and across Rice Lake. Then, it was loaded onto wagons and taken to the harbor at Cobourg.
As Cobourg became a popular tourist town, the railway also started bringing people to Rice Lake for fishing trips.
Today, Rice Lake is a very popular place for tourists. It is especially famous for its great fishing!
What kind of fish can you catch?
Rice Lake is home to many types of fish. You can find panfish, walleye, muskellunge, and bass. Many people enjoy recreational fishing here. There are also several fishing contests held each year.
Boat Races and Charity Events
Every year, on the first Saturday after Labour Day, a special boat race called a "poker run" takes place. It starts from Bewdley. The money raised from this event goes to the Children's Wish Foundation, a charity that helps children.
Islands of Rice Lake
Rice Lake has many islands. Some of the islands you can find there include:
- Coughlins Island
- Cow Island
- Black Island
- Foley Island (Upper and Lower)
- Grasshopper Island
- Grape Island (East and West)
- Harmony Island
- Harris Island
- Hickory Island
- Long Island
- Margaret Island
- Muskrat Island
- Paudaush Island
- Rack Island
- Scriver Island
- Sheep Island
- Spook Island
- Sugar Island (East and West)
- Tic Island
- White's Island
