Round Lake (Saskatchewan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Round Lake |
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Location | Saskatchewan |
Coordinates | 50°32′N 102°22′W / 50.533°N 102.367°W |
Lake type | prairie lake |
Primary inflows | Qu'Appelle River |
Primary outflows | Qu'Appelle River |
Basin countries | Canada |
Islands | none |
Settlements | none |
Round Lake is a cool lake in Saskatchewan, Canada. It's the last in a series of lakes connected by the Qu'Appelle River. Even though it's called "Round Lake," it's not actually round! No one knows for sure how it got its name.
This lake is a great spot for outdoor fun like camping, boating, and fishing. You can find cabins to rent or buy along its shores.
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About Round Lake
Round Lake is a special type of lake called a prairie lake. It was formed a very long time ago, about 10,000 years ago, by something called glaciation.
How Round Lake Was Formed
Imagine huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, moving across the land. This is what happened during the Ice Age. As these glaciers moved, they carved out the land and left behind valleys and dips. When the ice melted, these areas filled with water, creating lakes like Round Lake.
What Does "Eutrophic" Mean?
Round Lake is described as "eutrophic." This means the lake has a lot of nutrients in its water. These nutrients, like phosphorus and nitrogen, can come from things like farms or natural runoff. While some nutrients are good, too many can cause a lot of algae to grow. This can sometimes make the water look green and affect the plants and animals living in the lake.
Fun Things to Do at Round Lake
Round Lake is a popular place for people to visit and enjoy nature. There are many activities for families and friends.
Camping and Cabins
If you love camping, you can set up your tent or RV at places like Bird's Point Resort and Grimeau Park. For those who prefer a cozy stay, there are cabins available to rent or buy right along the lake's edge.
Fishing Adventures
Fishing is a big draw at Round Lake! The lake is home to many different kinds of fish. You might catch a walleye, yellow perch, or a northern pike. Other fish living here include white sucker, longnose sucker, black bullhead, channel catfish, cisco, mooneye, bigmouth buffalo, burbot, common carp, and rock bass.
The Round Lake Dam
On the east side of Round Lake, there's a structure called the Round Lake Dam. This dam is an embankment dam, which means it's made mostly of earth and rock. It was built in 1941.
Why Was the Dam Built?
The main job of the Round Lake Dam is to control the water levels in the lake. It also helps protect areas downstream on the Qu'Appelle River from floods. This is important for keeping the lake and the river system healthy and safe.
Amazing Fish of Round Lake
As mentioned, Round Lake is full of different fish species. Each one plays a part in the lake's ecosystem.
Meet the Rock Bass
One special fish in Round Lake is the rock bass. It's unique because it's the only native type of bass found in all of Saskatchewan! These fish are usually found near rocky areas, which is how they got their name.
Getting to Round Lake
It's easy to get to Round Lake! You can reach it by taking Highway 247.
Nearby Parks and Views
If you travel about 20 kilometers west of Round Lake, you'll find Crooked Lake Provincial Park and Crooked Lake. These are great places to explore more of Saskatchewan's beautiful outdoors. There's also a special spot north of Round Lake, off the highway, called a vantage point. From here, you can get an amazing view of the entire lake!