Sparrow Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sparrow Lake |
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 Sparrow Lake
Location in Southern Ontario
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| Location | Ontario |
| Coordinates | 44°49′07″N 79°23′46″W / 44.81861°N 79.39611°W |
| Part of | Great Lakes Basin |
| Primary inflows | Severn River, Kahshe River |
| Primary outflows | Severn River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 7 km (4.3 mi) |
| Max. width | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
| Average depth | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Max. depth | 12 m (39 ft) |
Sparrow Lake is a beautiful lake in Ontario, Canada. It's part of the huge Great Lakes Basin. You can find it about 150 kilometers (or a 1.5-hour drive) north of the Toronto area. The lake is located north-west of Orillia and south of Gravenhurst, Ontario. It's the most southern lake in the popular Muskoka tourist region.
The lake was named after William Sparrow, an Englishman who loved to fish and hunt here in the 1800s. He disappeared one summer, leading to many interesting stories.
Sparrow Lake is also known as a filming location for the TV show Paradise Falls. Many places around the lake, like lodges, were used for the show. It's also home to Sparrow Lake Camp, which started in 1912. This is the oldest children's camp run by the United Church of Canada.
You'll find many resorts and lodges around the lake. There are also two golf courses nearby: Lake St. George Golf Club and Evergreen Golf Center.
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About Sparrow Lake's Location
This shallow, freshwater lake is part of the Trent–Severn Waterway. This waterway is a long path of rivers, lakes, and canals. It stretches from Georgian Bay on Lake Huron all the way to Lake Ontario. The waterway connects many lakes, including Lake Couchiching, Lake Simcoe, and the Kawartha Lakes.
The lake is about 7 kilometers long and 1 to 2 kilometers wide. It's not very deep, with an average depth of about 4 meters. The deepest part is around 12 meters. The main river flowing into and out of Sparrow Lake is the Severn River. Other rivers that flow into it include the Kahshe River and Beaver Creek.
Sparrow Lake sits on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield. This means it has many granite islands and rocky, tree-lined shores. Most of the land around the lake has cottages for recreation. There are also several resorts and marinas that you can reach by road or water.
History of Sparrow Lake
The Sparrow Lake Historical Society was created in 1984. This group helps to preserve and share the history of the lake and its surrounding area.
Plants and Animals of Sparrow Lake
Sparrow Lake is full of aquatic plants and fish. It has a good amount of nutrients, which helps many different species to thrive.
Fish Species in the Lake
Anglers (people who fish) can catch many types of gamefish in Sparrow Lake, including:
Other fish that anglers often catch are:
Birds Around the Lake
Many different bird species live around Sparrow Lake, such as:
- Seagulls
- Terns
- Loons
- Cormorants
- Canada geese
- Osprey
- Great blue herons
- Turkey vultures
- Mallard ducks and other waterfowl
Sparrow Lake in Movies and TV
The TV series, Paradise Falls, was filmed in different spots around Sparrow Lake. This happened between 2001 and 2008. Places like Lauderdale Marina, Stanton House, and various cottages were used for the show.
Namesakes: A Lake on Titan
Did you know there's a "Sparrow Lake" far, far away? A lake on Titan, which is the largest moon of Saturn, has been named 'Sparrow Lacus'. This special "lake" on Titan is made of liquid methane and ethane, not water! It's located at 84.3° North and 64.7° West on Titan's surface.
