Great Slave Lake Size report
Here is a place worth visiting in the Northwest Territories of Canada - Great Slave Lake, which is located entirely in Canada. Northwest Territories is home to some of Canada's largest lakes outside the Great Lakes region, and Great Slave Lake is Canada's second-largest lake after Great Bear Lake and the deepest lake. It is the fifth-largest lake in North America and the tenth-largest lake in the world by surface area.
Its name comes from the Slavey people; it shares its English name with the Slavey, an Indigenous tribe in the town of Dettah of First Nations. Great Slave Lake has north and east arms protruding from the lake, and the scenery on both sides is different. The East Arm is more popular, known for its excellent fishing spots, scenic red cliffs, and numerous islands. The North Arm has sandy beaches and a wide variety of birds.
There are many islands in the lake, which is beneficial for fishery development. Pine Point on the south bank is the lead and zinc mining center, and Yellowknife on the northeast bank is the gold mining center and the capital of the Northwest Territories of Canada. This post will introduce more facts about Great Slave Lake.
Great Slave Lake Introduction
Great Slave Lake is a large, deep lake located in the Northwest Territories of Canada and a popular site to fish in summer and winter. According to historical records, businessman Samuel Hearne of the Hudson's Bay Company was the first European to visit the lake since 1771. Prospector Johnny Baker discovered gold near the north shore of the lake in the mid-1930s. Yellowknife became the capital of the Northwest Territories after the gold discovery in the 1930s and later became the country's diamond capital.
The Dettah ice road connecting Yellowknife to Dettah is also an interesting draw to the area. The shoreline of Great Slave Lake is tortuous, and the lake is 156 meters (512 feet) above sea level. The climate in the lake area is cold, and the surface freezes for a long time each year. The lake's tributaries are the Hay, Slave, and Talton Rivers, and the Mackenzie River drains the lake into the Arctic Ocean.
Great Slave Lake Size
- Great Slave Lake is extremely clear and deep, with a maximum depth of more than 614 meters (2,010 feet) and an average depth of 41 meters (13 feet).
- The lake measures 480 kilometers (300 miles) long and has a maximum width of 203 kilometers (126 miles), with an area of 27,200 square kilometers (10,502 square miles).
- The volume of the Great Slave Lake ranges from 1,070 cubic kilometers (260 cubic miles) to 2,088 cubic kilometers (501 cubic miles).
- The lake shoreline is about 3,057 kilometers (1,900 miles) long.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Max. length | 480 km (300 mi) |
| Max. width | 203 km (126 mi) |
| Surface area | 27,200 sq km (10,502 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 41 m (13 ft) |
| Max. depth | 614 m (2,010 ft) |
| Water volume | 1,070 cubic kilometers (260 cubic miles) to 2,088 cubic kilometers (501 cubic miles) |
Ecology
Great Slave Lake lies south of the treeline. Jack pine and spruce are dominant species, with the most thickly wooded areas nearest shore. The lake moderates the local climate, enabling a longer growing season than in regions farther from its waters.
The arctic grayling is found along shorelines and in the lake's shallower bays. On the west side of Great Slave Lake lies the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary, containing the world's largest wild wood bison herd. Around the lake are many popular spots for fishing and ice fishing for various fish species. Lake trout and grayling are most abundant in the East and North arms. Shallow, warm, muddy waters on the southern shore and at the tip of the North Arm, near Behchokö, provide rich habitat for goldeye, white suckers, and walleye.
Final Words
The recently built Deh Cho Bridge crosses the Mackenzie River allowing vehicle access to Yellowknife during all seasons without needing a ferry. The Deh Cho Bridge is the longest jointless bridge on the continent. The easiest way to travel around Slave Lake is by car, but there are bus services to some of the towns around the lake. The Great Slave Lake region offers summer and winter activities, and each season has its unique charm, making it an ideal destination for travelers. Parts of Great Slave Lake freeze from November through May and often into June; this period is the most crowded for ice fishing. Plus, Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, has plenty to offer, from historic buildings to a vibrant farmers market.
