Schwatka Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Schwatka Lake |
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Schwatka Lake
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 Schwatka Lake
Location in Yukon
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| Location | Whitehorse, Yukon |
| Coordinates | 60°41′05.4″N 135°01′36.5″W / 60.684833°N 135.026806°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Yukon River |
| Primary outflows | Yukon River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
Schwatka Lake is a special kind of lake called a reservoir. It was made by building a dam across the Yukon River near Whitehorse, Yukon. This happened in 1958. The dam helps create electricity for the area. It is managed by the Yukon Energy Corporation.
Before the dam was built, there were big, fast-moving parts of the river called the White Horse Rapids. These rapids were so famous they gave the city of Whitehorse its name! Now, these rapids are hidden under the lake's water. The lake is named after Frederick Schwatka. He was a US Army Lieutenant who was the first person to explore the entire length of the Yukon River.
Helping Salmon Travel
Schwatka Lake is home to an amazing structure called a fish ladder. This ladder was built around the hydroelectric dam. It helps fish, especially Chinook salmon, swim past the dam. This way, they can reach their special places upstream to lay their eggs.
The Chinook salmon that use this ladder are incredible travelers. They have the longest freshwater migration route of any salmon! They swim over 3,000 kilometers from the Bering Sea all the way up the Yukon River. It's a truly long and challenging journey for them.
How People Use the Lake
Schwatka Lake is used for several important things. It has a float plane base called Whitehorse Water Aerodrome. This is where planes that can land on water take off and land.
For many years, the lake was also the main water supply for the city of Whitehorse. But now, the city is changing how it gets its water. They are starting to use water from underground sources called aquifers. This change is happening partly because of worries about pollution. Things like fuel spills from planes or other activities around the lake could make the water unsafe.
