Triangle Lake (Ontario) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Triangle Lake |
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 Triangle Lake
Location in Ontario
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| Location | northwestern Ontario |
| Coordinates | 49°50′12″N 93°34′24″W / 49.8367°N 93.5732°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary inflows | One Unnamed Creek |
| Primary outflows | none |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 600 m (2,000 ft) |
| Max. width | 250 m (820 ft) |
| Shore length1 | 2.531 km (1.573 mi) |
| Frozen | Only in winter |
| Islands | none |
| Settlements | none |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Triangle Lake is a very small lake located in northwestern Ontario, Canada. It's a natural body of water that plays a part in the local environment. This lake is found between two towns, Dryden and Kenora, also in Ontario.
You can easily spot Triangle Lake if you are traveling on the Trans-Canada Highway, as it is visible from the north side of the road. In 2009, there was some road construction happening near the lake. Recently, scientists have found that Triangle Lake has become acidified, which means its water has become more acidic. This is a serious environmental concern.
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About Triangle Lake
Triangle Lake is a small but interesting part of Canada's natural landscape. It measures about 600 meters (about 0.37 miles) long and 250 meters (about 0.15 miles) wide. Its shoreline stretches for about 2.5 kilometers (about 1.5 miles). Like many lakes in this region, it was formed by glaciers long ago.
Where is Triangle Lake Located?
Triangle Lake is in the northwestern part of Ontario, a large province in Canada. This area is known for its many lakes, forests, and natural beauty. The lake is situated in the Kenora District, which is a large region with lots of wilderness. Its exact location is 49°50′12″N 93°34′24″W / 49.8367°N 93.5732°W.
How Does Water Enter and Leave the Lake?
For a lake to exist, water needs to flow into it. For Triangle Lake, water comes from one unnamed creek. This creek brings fresh water into the lake. Interestingly, Triangle Lake does not have any known outflow, meaning water does not flow out of it into another river or lake. This type of lake is sometimes called an "endorheic lake" or a "closed basin lake," though Triangle Lake is very small.
When Does Triangle Lake Freeze?
Because Triangle Lake is in Canada, where winters can be very cold, the lake freezes over during the winter months. This is a common occurrence for many lakes in northern regions. The ice melts again when spring arrives and temperatures rise.
Understanding Acidification
One of the most important things to know about Triangle Lake is that it has become "acidified." This means the water in the lake has a lower pH level than it should. The pH scale measures how acidic or basic (alkaline) something is. A pH of 7 is neutral, like pure water. Numbers below 7 are acidic, and numbers above 7 are basic.
What Causes Acidification?
Lakes can become acidified for several reasons. Often, it's due to acid rain. Acid rain forms when pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air, usually from factories, power plants, and cars. These chemicals mix with water vapor in the atmosphere and fall back to Earth as rain, snow, or fog that is more acidic than normal. When this acidic precipitation falls into lakes, it can change the water's pH.
Why is Acidification a Problem?
Acidification is a major concern for lakes because it can harm the plants and animals that live there.
- Fish and other aquatic life: Many fish, insects, and other creatures are very sensitive to changes in water pH. If the water becomes too acidic, they might not be able to survive, reproduce, or find enough food. This can lead to a decrease in the number of fish or even make some species disappear from the lake entirely.
- Food web disruption: When some species are harmed, it can affect the entire food web in the lake. For example, if the insects that fish eat disappear, the fish will struggle to find food.
- Plant life: Acidification can also affect aquatic plants, which are important for providing food and shelter for lake inhabitants.
- Water quality: Acidic water can also dissolve harmful metals from the soil and rocks around the lake, making the water even more toxic.
Scientists and environmental groups work to monitor lakes like Triangle Lake to understand the effects of acidification and find ways to protect these important natural resources.
