Dauphin Lake
Encyclopedia
Dauphin Lake was named for the heir to the French throne in 1739 by Francois de La Verendrye
. It is in western Manitoba near the city of Dauphin, Manitoba
. The lake covers an area of 200 square miles (518 km²) and has a drainage basin of about 3250 square miles (8,417.5 km²). The Mossey River drains the lake into Lake Winnipegosis. The basin is drained by seven major streams and has a total relief of 1900 feet (579.1 m). The lake is located within the territory of three rural municipalities
; in descending order of area they are the Rural Municipality of Ochre River, the Rural Municipality of Dauphin
, and the Rural Municipality of Mossey River
.
Several efforts have been made to control lake levels in the last century. In 1964 the Mossey River Dam was constructed at Terin's Landing at the outlet of the lake. The ten bay concrete stoplog structure complete with a fish ladder is operated by the Province. The summer target since 1993 has been 854.8 feet (260.54 m). The dam can restrict the outflow when conditions are dry and levels low but the river limits the outflow when the lake is high.
Regulation of the lake is difficult. Conditions can change very quickly. For example a four day rain in June 1947 produced an estimated peak inflow of 60000 cuft/s. At normal levels, the Mossey river can only take out about 500 cuft/s.
The lake provides wonderful recreational opportunities. Fishing is popular in both winter and summer, many people camp on the lake's shores and there are many cottages.
François de La Vérendrye
François de La Vérendrye was the third son of Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de la Vérendrye. He was born at Sorel, New France in 1715 and was active in his father's trade activities from Fort Kaministiquia to the North Saskatchewan River.In 1738 he was part of his father's expedition to Mandan...
. It is in western Manitoba near the city of Dauphin, Manitoba
Dauphin, Manitoba
Dauphin is a small city in Manitoba, Canada, with a population of 7,906 as of 2006. The nearby lake was given the name "Dauphin" by the explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye in 1741 in honour of the heir to the French throne...
. The lake covers an area of 200 square miles (518 km²) and has a drainage basin of about 3250 square miles (8,417.5 km²). The Mossey River drains the lake into Lake Winnipegosis. The basin is drained by seven major streams and has a total relief of 1900 feet (579.1 m). The lake is located within the territory of three rural municipalities
Rural municipality
A rural municipality, often abbreviated RM, is a form of municipality in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, perhaps best comparable to counties or townships in the western United States...
; in descending order of area they are the Rural Municipality of Ochre River, the Rural Municipality of Dauphin
Dauphin, Manitoba (rural municipality)
Dauphin is a rural municipality in Manitoba, Canada. It is located in the Parkland Region of Manitoba, and lies just north of Riding Mountain National Park...
, and the Rural Municipality of Mossey River
Mossey River, Manitoba
Mossey River is a rural municipality in the province of Manitoba in Western Canada. It is located at the south end of Lake Winnipegosis. The separately administered village of Winnipegosis lies within its borders.-External links:*...
.
Several efforts have been made to control lake levels in the last century. In 1964 the Mossey River Dam was constructed at Terin's Landing at the outlet of the lake. The ten bay concrete stoplog structure complete with a fish ladder is operated by the Province. The summer target since 1993 has been 854.8 feet (260.54 m). The dam can restrict the outflow when conditions are dry and levels low but the river limits the outflow when the lake is high.
Regulation of the lake is difficult. Conditions can change very quickly. For example a four day rain in June 1947 produced an estimated peak inflow of 60000 cuft/s. At normal levels, the Mossey river can only take out about 500 cuft/s.
The lake provides wonderful recreational opportunities. Fishing is popular in both winter and summer, many people camp on the lake's shores and there are many cottages.