Big Rideau Lake

Big Rideau Lake

Sunset on the lake
Big Rideau Lake
Location in southern Ontario
Location Lanark County, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Ontario
Coordinates 44°45′05″N 76°12′50″W / 44.75139°N 76.21389°W / 44.75139; -76.21389
Part of Saint Lawrence River drainage basin
Primary inflows Black Creek, Rideau River
Primary outflows Rideau River
Catchment area 407 square kilometres (157 sq mi)[1]
Basin countries Canada
Max. length 32 kilometres (20 mi)
Max. width 6 kilometres (3.7 mi)
Max. depth 360 feet (110 m)
Surface elevation 123.1 metres (403 ft 10 in)[2]
Settlements Portland, Rideau Ferry

Big Rideau Lake is a lake in the municipalities of Tay Valley and Drummond/North Elmsley, Lanark County and Rideau Lakes, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville in Eastern Ontario, Canada.[3] The lake is on the border between the two counties, 72 kilometres (45 mi) to the southwest of Ottawa. It is 32 kilometres (20 mi) long and is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) wide, is much narrower at its northeastern end than at its southwestern end, and is part of the Saint Lawrence River drainage basin. It is the largest lake on the Rideau Canal, which was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 2007.[4]

Hydrology

The primary inflow, at the southwest, is the Rideau River/Rideau Canal from Upper Rideau Lake via The Narrows channel and the Narrows lock and control structures. A second primary inflow is Black Creek at the west. The primary outflow, at the north, is also the Rideau River/Rideau Canal which leads via a channel to Lower Rideau Lake. The Rideau River and Canal flow to the Ottawa River and then to the Saint Lawrence River.

Settlements

The small community of Rideau Ferry is located at the junction between the Big Rideau and Lower Rideau Lake, at the northeastern end of the lake. The community of Portland is located along the southern shore of the lake.

Recreation

The shoreline of the Big Rideau Lake is lined with hundreds of cottages and houses. A public recreation area and campground, Murphys Point Provincial Park, is located along a substantial stretch of the shoreline on the northern side of the lake.

The Big Rideau Lake Association (BRLA) is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1911, and operates summer programs from Cow Island one of the many islands in Big Rideau. Its purpose is "to preserve and enhance the quality of life on Big Rideau Lake." The BRLA places private shoal markers throughout the lake, marking hazards underwater at some times in the navigational season. A group of markers indicate the extent of a shoal: go around, not between.

Events

The International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon is an annual event.

Natural History

The common fish found in the Big Rideau Lake include Sunfish, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, Large and Small Mouth Bass, Crappie, Walleye and Lake Trout.

Tributaries

References

Other map sources:

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