Sunfish Lake (Ontario) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sunfish Lake |
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 Sunfish Lake
Location in Ontario
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| Location | Wilmot Township, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 43°28′27″N 80°38′03″W / 43.4741°N 80.6343°W |
| Lake type | meromictic |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Surface area | 25 ha (62 acres) |
| Max. depth | 19 m (62 ft) |
| Settlements | St. Agatha |
Sunfish Lake is a small lake in Ontario, Canada. It is about 25 hectares (which is like 50 football fields) in size. You can find it northwest of Waterloo, Ontario, in a village called St. Agatha. This lake is also where Laurel Creek begins.
Sunfish Lake is special because it is a meromictic lake. This means its deep bottom waters, about 19 meters (62 feet) down, do not have any oxygen. The top and bottom layers of the lake do not mix together. This makes the lake very sensitive to pollution.
To protect the lake, there are rules for people who live nearby. For example, no motorized boats are allowed on the lake. People cannot use fertilizers or pesticides near the water. Also, septic tanks must be checked regularly to prevent leaks.
Sunfish Lake is often compared to Paradise Lake. Paradise Lake is about 3 kilometers (2 miles) northwest. It is a much larger lake with more homes around it. Many people live at Paradise Lake all year.
There are about 20 cottages and houses around Sunfish Lake. Only a few of these homes are allowed for year-round living. Most are for recreation, meaning they are not used in the winter.
What is the Sunfish Lake Association?
The Sunfish Lake Association is a group that helps protect Sunfish Lake. It was started in 1961 by Edna Staebler and Jack Hutchison. This group is a charity that works to keep the Sunfish Lake area healthy.
The Association has helped the community learn about protecting the environment. They worked with the Region of Waterloo on a plan to protect sensitive lands. This plan is similar to creating a local greenway, which is a protected natural area.
How the Association Protects the Lake
In the 1960s, the lake's health got better because of the Association's work. In 1978, they helped create Sunfish Holdings, Inc. This company bought important lands around the lake. Buying these lands helps make sure they will be protected in the future.
In the 1980s, the Association started a big project. They removed a type of algae called chara from the lake. This helped to get rid of too many nutrients in the water. They also worked to reduce the effects of acid rain on the lake.
Protection efforts continued in the 1990s and 2000s. The group worked to control a plant called purple loosestrife. This plant can take over natural areas. They also started a new plan for managing the forests.
The Association also worked hard to protect a larger area around the lake. This effort is part of the Laurel Creek Headwaters Environmentally Sensitive Landscape. This project helps create a greenbelt, which is a protected natural space.
The members of the Association also support Ontario Nature's greenway plan. They share their experiences with other landowners and the community. The group owns and protects about 50 acres (20 hectares) of woodland and wetland around Sunfish Lake. They have planted many trees and have also studied the fish in Sunfish Lake.
Images for kids
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Sunfish Lake near Waterloo, Ontario.
