Squint Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Squint Lake |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Squint Lake
Location in British Columbia
|
|
| Location | Burnaby, British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 49°15′51″N 122°56′30″W / 49.264028°N 122.941662°W |
| Primary inflows | Eagle Creek |
| Primary outflows | Eagle Creek |
| Basin countries | Canada |
Squint Lake is a small, pretty lake in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. It's located near Burnaby Mountain and is surrounded by the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course. A park called Squint Lake Park is just north of the lake.
Contents
What is Squint Lake?
Squint Lake is a natural body of water in Burnaby. It's not very big, but it's an important part of the local environment. The lake is surrounded by green spaces, including the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course.
Eagle Creek and the Lake
Eagle Creek is a stream that flows into Squint Lake from the north. After passing through the lake, Eagle Creek continues flowing south. It eventually reaches Burnaby Lake. There are also two tiny ponds next to Squint Lake.
Cool Discoveries Around the Lake
Scientists have found some interesting things in the mud around Squint Lake. They discovered prehistoric fossils, which are the remains of ancient plants or animals. These fossils tell us about life from a very long time ago!
At the south end of the lake, there's a mysterious underground chute. It's about 4 feet wide, but no one has ever figured out where it leads.
You can also find the largest sedimentary rock in Burnaby near the lake. This huge rock is a leftover from the Ice Age, when giant glaciers covered much of the land.
In 1920, the largest skeletal remains of a duck were found here. These bones are now kept safe at the Royal BC Museum.
The Story Behind the Name
Squint Lake has a funny story about how it got its name!
How "Quinte Lake" Became "Squint Lake"
Back in 1910, a real estate company wanted to sell land near the lake. They called it "Quinte Lake" in their advertisements. They even planned to build a fancy hotel there for tourists.
However, the people who lived nearby thought the name "Quinte Lake" was too grand. They felt it was a silly name for what was really just a small beaver pond. So, they started joking that "you had to squint to see it!" This joke stuck, and that's how the name Squint Lake came to be.
A Place for Fun and Play
In the past, local residents loved to swim in the pond during the summer. When winter came and the water froze, people would travel from all over to go ice skating on the lake. It was a popular spot for winter fun!
Sadly, as the area developed, the swampy land around the pond was drained. Over time, the pond slowly disappeared. Today, Squint Lake Park helps us remember the original pond and its history.
Getting to Squint Lake
You can visit Squint Lake by going to Phillips Avenue at Woodbrook Place. It's right across from the Greystone Shopping Mall.
Images for kids
-
Cold January 2005 at Squint Lake
-
Squint Lake in cold January 2005
-
Burnaby Mountain Golf Course surrounds Squint Lake. Montecito Towers in the background
