Crean Lake

Last updated

Crean Lake
Canada Saskatchewan relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Crean Lake
Location in Saskatchewan
Canada relief map 2.svg
Red pog.svg
Crean Lake
Crean Lake (Canada)
Location Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada
Coordinates 54°05′00″N106°09′02″W / 54.0834°N 106.1505°W / 54.0834; -106.1505
Part of Churchill River drainage basin
Primary inflows Crean Channel
Primary outflows Crean River
Basin  countries Canada
Surface area12,550.7 ha (31,013 acres)
Max. depth27.5 m (90 ft)
Shore length179 km (49 mi)
Surface elevation541 m (1,775 ft)
Islands
  • Francis Kayina Island
  • Krachorow Francis Island
  • Big Island
SettlementsNone
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Crean Lake [1] is a large lake in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan entirely within Prince Albert National Park. There are no roads to the lake and access is by watercraft from Hanging Heart Lakes [2] or from hiking and cross-country ski trails. Activities include fishing, boating, and camping at several rustic campgrounds scattered around the lake. [3]

Contents

Crean Lake's outflow is Crean River, which is a tributary of the MacLennan River. Crean Channel from Hanging Heart Lakes is the primary inflow.

Description

Crean Lake, which is surrounded by boreal forest, is the largest lake within Prince Albert National Park. It has an area of 12,550.7 hectares (31,013 acres) and a shoreline of 79 kilometres (49 mi). Other large lakes nearby include Montreal to the east, Kingsmere to the west, and Waskesiu to the south. Crean River, the lake's outflow, exits from the eastern shore and flows northeast where it meets MacLennan River west of Montreal Lake. [4] MacLennan River flows into Montreal Lake which is within the Churchill River drainage basin. [5]

Over the winter of 1958–59, a dam was built at the lake's outflow. It was built to "to increase public access to the lake and to increase water depths over lake trout shoals". The increased water levels caused "accelerated erosion" of the lake's shoreline. Over time, though, recession rates have declined as water levels stabilised. [6]

Recreation

Crean Lake, and its amenities, is accessed by watercraft from Crean Channel which flows in from Hanging Heart Lakes. Highway 204 provides access to Hanging Hearts Lake Marina at the southern end of Hanging Heart Lakes. [7] Activities at Crean Lake include fishing, swimming, boating, and camping. Fishing is permitted on the lake from the Saturday before Victoria Day to Labour Day. A 19-kilometre (12 mi) long round-trip cross-country ski trail begins 500 metres (1,600 ft) south of Birch Bay Beach at Waskesiu Lake, runs north of Hanging Heart Lakes, and ends at Crean Lake Day Use Area ( 54°01′51″N106°14′50″W / 54.0308°N 106.2472°W / 54.0308; -106.2472 ) at Crean Channel. [8]

Crean Lake has four "backcountry" campgrounds which are accessed by watercraft only.

Fish species

Fish commonly found in Crean Lake include northern pike, walleye, lake trout, yellow perch, and lake whitefish. The lake trout were commercially fished to near-extinction in the first part of the 20th century; there is currently a prohibition on fishing lake trout in Crean Lake. [10] [11] [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Albert National Park</span> National park in Saskatchewan, Canada

Prince Albert National Park encompasses 3,874 square kilometres (1,496 sq mi) in central Saskatchewan, Canada and is about 200 kilometres (120 mi) north of Saskatoon. Though declared a national park March 24, 1927, official opening ceremonies weren't performed by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King until August 10, 1928. This park is open all year but the most visited period is from May to September. Although named for the city of Prince Albert, the park's main entrance is actually 80 kilometres (50 mi) north of that city via Highways 2 and 263, which enters the park at its southeast corner. Two additional secondary highways enter the park, Highway 264, which branches off Highway 2 just east of the Waskesiu townsite, and Highway 240, which enters the park from the south and links with 263 just outside the entry fee-collection gates. Prince Albert National Park is not located within any rural municipality, and is politically separate from the adjacent Northern Saskatchewan Administration District (NSAD). Until the establishment of Grasslands National Park in 1981, it was the province's only national park.

Little Bear Lake is a lake in the boreal forest ecozone in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The lake is in a hilly plateau called Cub Hills and the landforms, such as the lakes and streams, of the Cub Hills were formed over 10,000 years ago during the last ice age. Little Bear Lake is accessed from the Hanson Lake Road, which runs along the eastern side of the lake, and by a small airport called Little Bear Lake Airport.

Sturgeon Lake is lake in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It is a small, narrow body of water situated in the transition zone between the aspen parkland and boreal forest biomes. It is located along the course of Sturgeon River, which has its headwaters in Prince Albert National Park and the Waskesiu Hills. The Sturgeon River is a tributary of the North Saskatchewan River. A small dam at the eastern end of the lake helps regulate water levels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waskesiu Lake</span> Lake in Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada

Waskesiu Lake is a lake located roughly in the centre of Prince Albert National Park. The lake's name means red deer or elk in the Cree language. Waskesiu Lake is by far the most developed lake in the park, and features a variety of recreational facilities along all sides of its shoreline, including camping, golfing, boating, and hiking. The resort village of Waskesiu Lake is on its eastern shore. The Prince Albert National Park Nature Centre is located in the village as well as many other amenities such as lodging, police, a gas station, shopping, and restaurants. Access to the lake is from Highways 263 and 264.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amisk Lake</span> Lake in Saskatchewan, Canada

Amisk Lake is a lake in the east-central part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, about 22 kilometres (14 mi) south-west of Flin Flon, Manitoba. 'Amisk' means beaver in Cree. Along the lake's shores is the community of Denare Beach, a provincial recreation site with lake access and camping, and prehistoric limestone crevices. Access to the lake and its amenities is from Highway 167. Amisk Lake was on an important fur trade route in the 18th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doré Lake</span> Lake in Saskatchewan, Canada

Doré Lake is a lake in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in the basin of the Beaver River. Doré is the French Canadian term for 'walleye'. The lake is north-west of Smoothstone Lake and the Waskesiu Upland in the Mid-Boreal Upland ecozone of Canada and is surrounded by boreal forests. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan's largest city, is about 328 kilometres (204 mi) to the south. The northern village of Dore Lake is located on South Bay and is accessed from Highway 924 and Dore Lake Airport.

Montreal Lake is a lake in the north-central part of Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It is the source of the Montreal River and is located between Highways 2 and 969. Prince Albert National Park is to the west and Clarence-Steepbank Lakes Provincial Park is to the east. Communities on the lake include Montreal Lake, Timber Bay, and Molanosa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Narrow Hills Provincial Park</span> Provincial park in Saskatchewan, Canada

Narrow Hills Provincial Park is a northern boreal forest provincial recreational park in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It is located in a hilly plateau called the Cub Hills and contains several recreational facilities and over 25 accessible lakes within its boundaries. The geographical features of the park, including the lakes, valleys, and lowlands were formed over 10,000 years ago during the last ice age. The town of Smeaton is the closest community and it is located 70 kilometres (43 mi) to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montreal River (Saskatchewan)</span> River in Saskatchewan, Canada

Montreal River is a river in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It flows 100 kilometres (62 mi) from Montreal Lake to Lac la Ronge and is part of the Churchill River and Hudson Bay drainage basins. Along its course, Montreal River runs through boreal forests, muskeg, and glacier formed valleys. Within its watershed are the Waskesiu Uplands, much of Prince Albert National Park, and several notable lakes, such as Waskesiu, Kingsmere, Crean, Weyakwin, and Bittern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lac La Ronge Provincial Park</span> Provincial park in Saskatchewan, Canada

Lac La Ronge Provincial Park is located in the boreal forest of the north central part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan within the Canadian Shield. Situated in the Churchill River system, this provincial park has close to 100 lakes and more than 30 canoe routes, many of which follow old fur trade routes. Summer activities include camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming. In the winter, there's cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. Saskatchewan's highest waterfall is in the park. Nistowiak Falls are located north of Lac La Ronge along the Rapid River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lac la Plonge</span> Lake in Saskatchewan, Canada

Lac la Plonge is a glacial lake in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in the basin of the Beaver River, near Lac Île-à-la-Crosse. It is located in the boreal forest near the Canadian Shield. On the lake's northern shore, the community of Lac La Plonge, a resort, and campgrounds are accessed via Highway 165.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowan River</span> River in Saskatchewan, Canada

Cowan River is a river in the west-central part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. The river begins at Cowan Lake Dam near the northern end of Cowan Lake and flows north-west through muskeg and forest to meet Beaver River. Beaver River then flows into Lac Île-à-la-Crosse and the Churchill River. The entirety of Cowen River is within the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District and while there are no communities along its course, the towns of Big River and Spiritwood are in its watershed.

Brightsand Lake is a lake in the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan. It is in the Rural Municipality of Mervin No. 499 in the west-central part of the province in the aspen parkland ecoregion. Brightsand Creek — located on the western side of the lake — is the outflow and it flows in a southerly direction into Turtlelake River, which is a tributary of the North Saskatchewan River. Turtle Lake is about 9.5 kilometres (5.9 mi) to the east and the Meadow Lake Escarpment is to the north-east.

Great Blue Heron Provincial Park is a recreational park in the central region of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. It is adjacent to the eastern boundary of Prince Albert National Park, about 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of the city of Prince Albert. The provincial park was established in 2013 from two pre-existing provincial recreation sites – Emma Lake and Anglin Lake Recreation Sites – and the addition of a large tract of Crown land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waskesiu River</span> River in Saskatchewan, Canada

Waskesiu River is a river that runs through boreal forest in the north-central region of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It begins at Waskesiu Lake in Prince Albert National Park and flows north-east to Montreal Lake.

Waskesiu Upland is a hilly plateau in the central region of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Waskesiu means red deer or elk in the Cree language. The plateau is just south-west of the geographical centre of the province and consists of two main ranges — the Waskesiu Hills to the south and the Thunder Hills to the north. The Thunder Hills cover an area of about 225,000 acres. Several notable rivers begin from the upland with ones headed south flowing into the North Saskatchewan River and ones headed north flowing into the Churchill River. Much of the plateau is carpeted in boreal forests and most of the Waskesiu Hills range is within Prince Albert National Park. Besides the national park, there are several provincial recreation sites in and around the upland. The northern part of the upland is part of the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District and is sparsely populated.

Delaronde Lake is a lake in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It is situated at the western edge of the Waskesiu Upland in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. Delaronde Lake is within the Churchill River drainage basin of the Hudson Bay.

Ness Lakes are a group of five interconnected lakes — the largest of which is Ness Lake — in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. They are in the Rural Municipality of Big River No. 555 at the western end of the Waskesiu Hills in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. The western boundary of Prince Albert National Park is directly to the east and the town of Big River is about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to the south-west. Access to the lakes is from Nesslin Lake Road, which branches off of Highway 922.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MacLennan River</span> River in Saskatchewan, Canada

MacLennan River is a river in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It begins at MacLennan Lake in the Thunder Hills of the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District. It then flows generally south-east out of the hills, through a section of Prince Albert National Park, and on to Montreal Lake. MacLennan River is within the Churchill River drainage basin and is in the Mid-Boreal Upland ecozone of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smoothstone Lake</span> Lake in Saskatchewan, Canada

Smoothstone Lake is a lake in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan along the course of the Smoothstone River. The lake is at the western edge of the Waskesiu Upland in the Mid-Boreal Upland ecozone of Canada and is surrounded by boreal forests. Smoothstone Lake's primary inflow and outflow is the Smoothstone River, which begins in the Waskesiu Upland and ends at Pinehouse Lake of the Churchill River. At the lake's northern end is Selenite Point, Selenite Bay, and the 362.2-hectare (895-acre) Shelter Island. Access to the lake and its amenities is from Highway 917. Highway 929 dead ends near Selenite Bay at the lake's northern end.

References

  1. "Crean Lake". Canadian Geographical Names Database. Government of Canada. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  2. "Hanging Heart Lake". Canadian Geographical Names Database. Government of Canada. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  3. Siemens, Matthew. "Crean Lake". Sask Lakes. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  4. "Crean River". Canadian Geographical Names Database. Government of Canada. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  5. "Crean Lake Fishing Map". GPS Nautical Charts. Bist LLC. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  6. Raymon, Jersak. "Shoreline erosion at Crean Lake, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan". University of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  7. https://www.waskesiumarina.com/marinas/the-hanging-heart-lakes-marina/
  8. "Crean Crosscountry Ski Trail". Parks Canada. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  9. "Crean Lake Backcountry Campground". Parks Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  10. "Fishing". Parks Canada. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  11. "Crean Lake". Angler's Atlas. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  12. "Crean Lake". Fish brain. Retrieved 7 January 2025.