Tathlina Lake facts for kids
Tathlina Lake is a large, but very shallow, lake located in the Northwest Territories, Canada. It's known for its unique features and its history with fishing.
Quick facts for kids Tathlina Lake |
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 Tathlina Lake
Location in Northwest Territories
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| Location | Northwest Territories |
| Coordinates | 60°33′N 117°32′W / 60.550°N 117.533°W |
| Primary inflows | Kakisa River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Surface area | 573.4 km2 (221.4 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 1 m (3.3 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 280 m (920 ft) |
Contents
About Tathlina Lake
Tathlina Lake is the 15th largest lake in the Northwest Territories. It sits at an elevation of 269 metres (about 883 feet) above sea level.
How Deep Is It?
This lake is very shallow, with an average depth of only 1 metre (about 3 feet). Because it is so shallow, the lake can be easily affected by changes. Things like water level, temperature, and how much oxygen is in the water can change quickly.
Sometimes, due to these changes, many fish have died in the lake. This is called a fish kill.
Special Rock Formations
Along the sides of Tathlina Lake, you can find special rock formations. These rocks are part of something called the Kakisa Formation.
Fishing History
People started fishing for walleye (a type of fish) in Tathlina Lake for business in 1953. Walleye are also known by their scientific name, Sander vitreus.
Why Fishing Stopped
From the 1960s to the 1990s, the amount of fish caught in the lake was very low. Because of these poor harvests, commercial fishing in Tathlina Lake was stopped in the year 2000. It has been closed ever since.
