Wabigoon Lake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wabigoon Lake
Wabigoon Lake Location in Ontario
Location	Kenora District, northwestern Ontario
Coordinates	49°45′N 92°42′W / 49.750°N 92.700°W / 49.750; -92.700
Type	reservoir, natural lake
Primary outflows	Wabigoon River
Basin countries	Canada
Max. length	20 mi (32 km)
Surface area	26,000 acres (41 sq mi; 110 km2)
Average depth	19.6 feet (6.0 m)
Max. depth	47.1 ft (14.4 m)
Shore length1	114 mi (183 km)
Surface elevation	1,083 ft (330 m)
Settlements	Dryden
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Wabigoon Lake is a large lake found in the Kenora District in northwestern Ontario, Canada. It's a natural lake that also acts as a reservoir. The city of Dryden, with about 8,198 people, is located right on the north side of the lake. The main river that flows into and out of Wabigoon Lake is the Wabigoon River.

About Wabigoon Lake

Wabigoon Lake is an important part of the landscape in northwestern Ontario. It's known for its size and its connection to the nearby city of Dryden. The lake's water level was changed a long time ago to help a local industry.

How the Lake Changed

Years ago, a dam was built on the lake. This dam was made to create power for a company that made pulp and paper. When the dam was built, it raised the lake's water level by several feet. This made the lake deeper than it used to be. Its average depth is now about 19.6 feet (6.0 m). This change in water level affected the area around the lake. It covered a lot of the local trees and wild rice plants that grew there.

What's in a Name?

The name "Wabigoon" comes from the Ojibwe people. The Ojibwe are one of the largest First Nations groups in North America. In their language, "Wabigoon" can mean a few things. It might come from the word waabigon, which means "marigold," a type of flower. Or, it could come from waabi-miigwan, which means "white feather." Both names connect the lake to nature and the traditions of the Ojibwe people.