Salerno Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Salerno Lake |
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Salerno Lake in winter
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 Salerno Lake
Location in Southern Ontario
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| Location | Haliburton County, Ontario |
| Group | Kawartha lakes |
| Coordinates | 44°51′34″N 78°29′07″W / 44.85944°N 78.48528°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Part of | Great Lakes Basin |
| Primary inflows | Salerno Creek from White Lake |
| Primary outflows | Salerno Creek to the Irondale River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 5.8 km (3.6 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.75 km (0.47 mi) |
| Max. depth | 45 feet (14 m) |
| Surface elevation | 297 metres (974 ft) |
| Islands | 1 small unnamed island, several other immersed rocks |
Salerno Lake, once known as Devil's Lake, is a beautiful lake located in Haliburton County, Ontario, Canada. It's found in the areas of Highlands East and Minden Hills. Salerno Lake is part of the larger Kawartha Lakes system and connects to the huge Great Lakes Basin. Many people visit this area for vacations, as it's a popular "cottage country" spot. It's about a 2.5-hour drive from Toronto.
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About Salerno Lake
Salerno Lake is about 5.8 kilometres (3.6 mi) (3.6 miles) long. It's a narrow lake, only about 750 metres (2,460 ft) (0.47 miles) wide at its widest point. Because of its shape, it looks a lot like a very large river. The lake sits in a big valley, and the water gets deep very quickly. Most parts of the lake are about 25 feet (7.6 m) (7.6 meters) deep. However, there are two special spots where the water can reach a depth of 45 feet (14 m) (13.7 meters).
Where is Salerno Lake?
Salerno Lake is surrounded by several small communities. These include Gooderham, Irondale, and Kinmount. The town of Haliburton is also nearby, usually a 25 to 35-minute drive away.
Water Flow in Salerno Lake
Water flows into Salerno Lake mainly from Salerno Creek, which comes from White Lake in the southwest. The water then flows out of Salerno Lake, also as Salerno Creek, from the northwest side. This creek goes over a dam and then joins the Irondale River. From there, the water travels through the Burnt River, then through the other Kawartha Lakes, the Otonabee River, and finally the Trent River. All this water eventually reaches Lake Ontario.
History of Salerno Lake
Like many lakes and rivers in this area, Salerno Lake was important for moving logs. In the 1800s and 1900s, people used the lake to float cut trees downriver. This helped transport wood for building and other uses.
How Salerno Lake Got Its Name
Salerno Lake was originally called Devil's Lake. However, its name was changed to Salerno to honor the brave actions of the Canadian Army. In 1943, Canadian soldiers played a very important role in the Salerno landings during World War II. These landings happened near the city of Salerno in Italy. The government of Ontario suggested the name change. It was published on a federal map in 1944 to give the lake a unique name and avoid the common "Devil" name. The name Salerno Lake was officially approved in 1953.
What Lives in Salerno Lake?
Salerno Lake is home to many different kinds of fish and other creatures. If you like fishing, you might find:
Other animals that live in the lake include:
Cottagers' Association
The Salerno/Devil's Lake Cottagers' Association is a group that has been around for over 40 years. It has a board of directors who work on important issues for the lake's residents. They also organize fun events, like an annual canoe race and Canada Day fireworks. The association encourages everyone who owns a cottage on the lake to join. They also send out a newsletter by mail to keep members updated.
