Wapizagonke Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Wapizagonke |
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| Lac Wapizagonke | |
Panorama of the lake
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 Lake Wapizagonke
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Mauricie region, north of Shawinigan, Quebec |
| Coordinates | 45°42′48″N 73°01′36″W / 45.71333°N 73.02667°W |
| Type | natural |
| Primary outflows | Shawinigan River |
| Catchment area | St. Lawrence River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 9.2 km (5.7 mi) |
| Settlements | Shawinigan |
Lake Wapizagonke is a beautiful lake found in La Mauricie National Park in Quebec, Canada. It's part of the city of Shawinigan in the Mauricie region. This lake is a popular spot for visitors to the park.
Where is Lake Wapizagonke?
Lake Wapizagonke is about 9.2 kilometers (5.7 miles) long. It's located close to the western edge of La Mauricie National Park, north of Shawinigan. This lake is long and narrow, stretching from north to south. It's surrounded by tall mountains, making it a very scenic spot.
Water from Lake Wapizagonke flows out from its southern end into the Shawinigan River. The Shawinigan River then travels east and south before joining the larger Saint-Maurice River.
Several other lakes help fill Lake Wapizagonke. These include Reid, Houle, Jodon, Anticagamac, and Avalon lakes.
What's in a Name?
The name of Lake Wapizagonke has changed over time.
- Early Maps: In 1852, the lake appeared on maps as "Lake Pisagunk."
- Forestry Workers: People who worked in the forests called it "Lake Mistagance."
- Modern Name: The name "Wapizagonke" first appeared on a map in 1925. It comes from the word Ouapitagone in the Montagnais language. According to Father Joseph-Étienne Guinard, this word meant "a kind of very rare duck species."
- Abenaki Meaning: In the Abenaki language, the lake is called Wawibizagak. This name means "surrounded by the bush."
- Other Names: Some visitors also called the lake "Island Lake" or "Lake Croche" (which means "Crooked Lake").
