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List of lakes of Canada

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This is a partial list of lakes of Canada. Canada has a larger number of lakes than any other country with the amount ranging between 880,000 lakes (measuring 10 ha (0.10 km2; 25 acres) and larger) and 2,000,000.[1][2][3] There are 563 lakes in Canada with an area larger than 100 km2 (39 sq mi),[4] and approximately 891,163 km2 (344,080 sq mi),[5] including Hudson Bay, of the country is covered in fresh water. The Atlas of Canada says that lakes cover 8.9 per cent of the country and the Great Lakes, divided between Canada and the United States account for 18 per cent of the worlds fresh water.[6]

Map guide for lists of lakes of Canada

Some web sites, such as Reddit,[7] suggest that Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined.[1][8] According to Snopes this claim is false[9] and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says that the country has largest lake area.[4]

Canada's largest lakes

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This is a list of lakes of Canada with an area larger than 1,000 km2 (390 sq mi).[10][11][12][13]

Canadian lakes larger than 1,000 km2 (390 sq mi)
Rank Name Province / territory Area
(within Canada)		 Elevation Notes References
km2 sq mi m ft
1Lake HuronOntario36,00014,000177581Huron has a total area of 59,600 km2 (23,000 sq mi) with 23,600 km2 (9,100 sq mi) in the United States[10][14]
2Great Bear LakeNorthwest Territories31,32812,096156512Largest lake entirely in Canada[10]
3Lake SuperiorOntario28,70011,100184604Superior has a total area of 82,100 km2 (31,700 sq mi) with 53,400 km2 (20,600 sq mi) in the United States[10][14]
4Great Slave LakeNorthwest Territories28,56811,030156512[10]
5Lake WinnipegManitoba24,3879,416217712[10]
6Lake ErieOntario12,8004,900174571Erie has a total area of 25,700 km2 (9,900 sq mi) with 12,900 km2 (5,000 sq mi) in the United States[10][14]
7Lake OntarioOntario10,0003,90075246Ontario has a total area of 18,960 km2 (7,320 sq mi) with 8,960 km2 (3,460 sq mi) in the United States[10][14]
8Lake AthabascaSaskatchewan / Alberta7,9353,064213699[10]
9Reindeer LakeSaskatchewan / Manitoba6,6502,5703371,106[10]
10Smallwood ReservoirNewfoundland and Labrador6,5272,5204711,545[10]
11Nettilling LakeNunavut5,5422,1403098World's largest lake on an island[10][15]
12Lake WinnipegosisManitoba5,3742,075254833[10]
13Lake NipigonOntario4,8481,872260850[10]
14Lake ManitobaManitoba4,6241,785248814[10]
15Caniapiscau ReservoirQuebec4,3591,6835351,755[16][17]
16Dubawnt LakeNunavut / Northwest Territories3,8331,480236774[10]
17Lake of the WoodsOntario / Manitoba3,1501,2203231,060Has a total area of 4,350 km2 (1,680 sq mi) of which 1,200 km2 (460 sq mi) is in the United States[10][18]
18Amadjuak LakeNunavut3,1151,203113371[10]
19Lake MelvilleNewfoundland and Labrador3,0691,185Tidal lake[10]
20Robert-Bourassa ReservoirQuebec2,9051,122164538[16][19]
21Wollaston LakeSaskatchewan2,6811,0353981,306Bifurcation lake[10]
22La Grande 3 ReservoirQuebec2,536979La Grande-3 generating station[16]
23Lake MistassiniQuebec2,3359023721,220Largest natural lake in Quebec[10][20]
24Nueltin LakeNunavut / Manitoba2,279880278912[10]
25Southern Indian LakeManitoba2,247868254833[10]
26Manicouagan ReservoirQuebec1,973762[16]
27Baker LakeNunavut1,88772926 ft 7 in[10]
28Lac La MartreNorthwest Territories1,776686265869[10]
29Williston LakeBritish Columbia1,7616806712,201[10]
30Lac SeulOntario1,6576403571,171[10]
31Gouin ReservoirQuebec1,5706104041,325[10]
32Yathkyed LakeNunavut1,449559140460Contains the only island in a lake on an island in a lake on an island in a lake on Earth, also known as a fifth-order island.[10][21]
33Lake ClaireAlberta1,436554213699[10]
34Cree LakeSaskatchewan1,4345544871,598[10]
35Lac la RongeSaskatchewan1,4135463641,194[10]
36Clearwater LakesQuebec1,383534241791Formerly Lac a l'Eau-Claire[10]
37Cedar LakeManitoba1,353522253830[10]
38Kasba LakeNorthwest Territories / Nunavut1,3415183361,102[10]
39Lake BienvilleQuebec1,2494824261,398[10]
40Laforge-1 ReservoirQuebec1,240480Laforge-1 generating station[22]
41Island LakeManitoba1,223472227745[10]
42Lesser Slave LakeAlberta1,1684515771,893[10]
43Gods LakeManitoba1,151444178584[10]
44Aberdeen LakeNunavut1,10042080260[10]
45Bras d'Or LakeNova Scotia1,099424Tidal lake[10]
46Napaktulik LakeNunavut1,0804203811,250[10]
47MacKay LakeNorthwest Territories1,0614104311,414[10]
48Opinaca ReservoirQuebec1,040400[13]
49Lac Saint-JeanQuebec1,00338798322[10]

Lakes by province and territory

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This is a list of lakes in Canada with an area of 400 km2 (150 sq mi) or larger.[12] The lakes are listed alphabetically by province and territory.

Alberta

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Alberta lakes 400 km2 (150 sq mi) or larger[12]
Rank Name Area Elevation Notes References
km2 sq mi m ft
1Lake Claire1,436554213699[10]
2Lesser Slave Lake1,1684515771,893[10]
3Bistcho Lake4261645521,811[10]

British Columbia

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British Columbia lakes 400 km2 (150 sq mi) or larger[12]
Rank Name Area Elevation Notes References
km2 sq mi m ft
1Williston Lake1,7616806712,201[10]
2Atlin Lake7752996682,192Partly in Yukon[10]
3Babine Lake4951917112,333[10]
4Kootenay Lake4071575321,745[12]
5Ootsa Lake4041568532,799Nechako Reservoir comprises six lakes, Tahtsa, Ootsa (the largest and its name is sometimes used for the reservoir), Whitesail, Knewstubb, Natalkuz, and Tetachuck[12][23]

Manitoba

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Manitoba lakes 400 km2 (150 sq mi) or larger[12]
Rank Name Area Elevation Notes References
km2 sq mi m ft
1Lake Winnipeg24,3879,416217712[10]
2Lake Winnipegosis5,7342,214254833[10]
3Lake Manitoba4,6241,785248814[10]
4Southern Indian Lake2,247868254833[10]
5Cedar Lake1,353522253830[10]
6Island Lake1,223472227745[10]
7Gods Lake1,151444178584[10]
8Cross Lake755292207679[10]
9Playgreen Lake657254217712[10]
10Dauphin Lake519200260850[12]
11Granville Lake490190258846[12]
12Sipiwesk Lake454175183600[12]
13Oxford Lake401155186610[12]
14Molson Lake400150221725[12]

New Brunswick

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The largest lake in New Brunswick is Grand Lake with an area of 171 km2 (66 sq mi).[24]

Newfoundland and Labrador

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Newfoundland and Labrador lakes 400 km2 (150 sq mi) or larger[12]
Rank Name Area Elevation Notes References
km2 sq mi m ft
1Smallwood Reservoir6,5272,5204711,545[10]
2Lake Melville3,0691,185Tidal lake[10]
3Ashuanipi Lake5962305291,736[12]
4Grand Lake53720785279[12]
5Lac Joseph4511745121,680[12]
6Atikonak Lake4311665181,699[12]

Northwest Territories

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Northwest Territories lakes 400 km2 (150 sq mi) or larger[12]
Rank Name Area Elevation Notes References
km2 sq mi m ft
1Great Bear Lake31,32812,096156512Largest lake entirely in Canada[10]
2Great Slave Lake31,32812,096156512[10]
3Lac La Martre1,776686265869[10]
4Kasba Lake1,3415183361,102Partly in Nunavut[10]
5MacKay Lake1,0614104311,414[10]
6Hottah Lake918354180590[10]
7Aylmer Lake8473273751,230[10]
8Nonacho Lake7843033541,161[10]
9Clinton-Colden Lake7372853751,230[10]
10Selwyn Lake7172773981,306Partly in Saskatchewan[10]
11Point Lake701271175574[10]
12Wholdaia Lake6782623641,194[10]
13Lac de Gras6332443961,299[10]
14Buffalo Lake612236265869[10]
15Tathlina Lake573221280920[12]
16Artillery Lake5512133641,194[12]
17Snowbird Lake5051953591,178[12]
18Sambaa K'e5041955031,650Formerly known as Trout Lake[12]
19Lac des Bois469181297974[12]
20Colville Lake455176245804[12]
21Faber Lake439169213699[12]

Nova Scotia

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Bras d'Or Lake is the largest lake in Nova Scotia, a tidal lake, with an area of 1,099 km2 (424 sq mi).[10]

Nunavut

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Nunavut lakes 400 km2 (150 sq mi) or larger[12]
Rank Name Area Elevation Notes References
km2 sq mi m ft
1Nettilling Lake5,5422,1403098World's largest lake on an island[10][15]
2Dubawnt Lake3,8331,480236774Partly in the Northwest Territories[10]
3Amadjuak Lake3,1151,203113371[10]
4Nueltin Lake2,279880278912Partly in Manitoba[10]
5Baker Lake1,88772926 ft 7 in[10]
6Yathkyed Lake1,449559140460Contains the only island in a lake on an island in a lake on an island in a lake on Earth, also known as a fifth-order island.[10][21]
7Aberdeen Lake1,10042080260[10]
8Napaktulik Lake1,0804203811,250[10]
9Garry Lake976377148486[10]
10Contwoyto Lake9573695641,850[10]
11Ennadai Lake6812633111,020[10]
12Tulemalu Lake668258279915[10]
13Kamilukuak Lake638246266873Partly in the Northwest Territories[10]
14Kaminak Lake60023053174[10]
15Tahiryuaq5882271136Formerly known as Ferguson Lake[12]
16Tebesjuak Lake575222146479[12]
17Qamanirjuaq Lake54921292302[12]
18Lake Hazen542209158518[12]
19Princess Mary Lake524202116381[12]
20South Henik Lake513198184604[12]
21Angikuni Lake510200257843[12]
22Hall Lake491190620[12]
23Tehek Lake481186133436[12]
24Mallery Lake479185158518[12]
25MacAlpine Lake447173176577[12]
26Bluenose Lake4011555571,827[12]

Ontario

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Ontario lakes 400 km2 (150 sq mi) or larger[12]
Rank Name Area
(within Canada)		 Elevation Notes References
km2 sq mi m ft
1Lake Huron36,00014,000177581Huron has a total area of 59,600 km2 (23,000 sq mi) with 23,600 km2 (9,100 sq mi) in the United States[10][14]
2Lake Superior28,70011,100184604Superior has a total area of 82,100 km2 (31,700 sq mi) with 53,400 km2 (20,600 sq mi) in the United States[10][14]
3Lake Erie12,8004,900174571Erie has a total area of 25,700 km2 (9,900 sq mi) with 12,900 km2 (5,000 sq mi) in the United States[10][14]
4Lake Ontario10,0003,9005751,886Ontario has a total area of 18,960 km2 (7,320 sq mi) with 8,960 km2 (3,460 sq mi) in the United States[10]
4Lake Nipigon4,8481,872260850[10]
5Lake of the Woods3,1501,2203231,060Has a total area of 4,350 km2 (1,680 sq mi) of which 1,200 km2 (460 sq mi) is in the United States[10][18]
6Lac Seul1,6576403571,171[10]
7Lake St. Clair1,114430175574Partly in the United States[10]
8Rainy Lake9323603381,109Partly in the United States[12]
9Lake Abitibi931359265869Partly in Quebec[12]
10Lake Nipissing832321196643[12]
11Lake Simcoe744287219719[12]
12Big Trout Lake661255213699[12]
13Sandy Lake527203276906[12]
14Lake St. Joseph4931903711,217[12]
15Trout Lake4131593941,293[12]

Prince Edward Island

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The largest lake in Prince Edward Island is Graham Rogers Lake with an area of 1.87 km2 (0.72 sq mi).[24]

Quebec

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Quebec lakes 400 km2 (150 sq mi) or larger[12]
Rank Name Area Elevation Notes References
km2 sq mi m ft
1Caniapiscau Reservoir4,3591,6835351,755[16][17]
2Robert-Bourassa Reservoir2,9051,122164538[16][19]
3La Grande 3 Reservoir2,536979La Grande-3 generating station[16]
4Lake Mistassini2,3359023721,220Largest natural lake in Quebec[10][20]
5Manicouagan Reservoir1,973762[16]
6Gouin Reservoir1,5706104041,325[10]
7Clearwater Lakes1,383534241791Formerly Lac a l'Eau-Claire[10]
8Lake Bienville1,2494824261,398[10]
9Laforge-1 Reservoir1,240480Laforge-1 generating station[25]
10Opinaca Reservoir1,040400[13]
11Lac Saint-Jean1,00338798322[10]
12Pipmuacan Reservoir9783783961,299[12]
13La Grande-4 Reservoir765295La Grande-4 generating station[26]
14Lake Minto761294168551[12]
15Lake Tasiujaq712275Formerly Lac Guillaume-Delisle[27]
16Cabonga Reservoir6772613611,184[12]
17Outardes-464025033108[16][28]
18Eastmain Reservoir603233Officially the Réservoir de la Paix des Braves[29]
19Lac Sakami592229195640[12]
20Lake Manouane5842254941,621[12]
21Lacs des Loups Marins576222262860[12]
22Lake Evans547211232761[12]
23Payne Lake533206130430[12]
24Lac Caniapiscau4701805641,850[12]
25Lac aux Feuilles452175Tidal lake[12]
26Lake Albanel4441713891,276[12]
27Baskatong Reservoir413159[30]
28Dozois Reservoir4051563891,276[12]

Saskatchewan

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Saskatchewan lakes 400 km2 (150 sq mi) or larger[12]
Rank Name Area Elevation Notes References
km2 sq mi m ft
1Lake Athabasca7,9353,064213699Partly in Alberta[10]
2Reindeer Lake6,6502,5703371,106Partly in Manitoba[10]
3Wollaston Lake2,6811,0353981,306Bifurcation lake[10]
4Cree Lake1,4345544871,598[10]
5Lac la Ronge1,4135463641,194[10]
6Peter Pond Lake7783005211,709[12]
7Doré Lake6402504591,506[12]
8Churchill Lake5592164211,381[12]
9Deschambault Lake5422093241,063[12]
10Frobisher Lake5161994211,381[12]
11Black Lake464179281922[12]
12Montreal Lake5542144901,610[12]
13Primrose Lake4481735991,965Partly in Alberta[12]
14Amisk Lake430170294965[12]
15Lake Diefenbaker4301705571,827Bifurcation lake[31]
16Pinehouse Lake4041563841,260[12]

Yukon

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Kluane Lake is the largest lake in Yukon at 409 km2 (158 sq mi) located at an elevation of 781 m (2,562 ft).[10]

International lakes

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This is a list of lakes shared between Canada and the United States.

Canada / United States Lakes
Rank Name Province
territory		 U.S. state Total area Area
(within Canada)		 Area
(within the US)		 Elevation Notes References
km2 sq mi km2 sq mi km2 sq mi m ft
1Lake SuperiorOntarioMichigan / Minnesota / Wisconsin82,10031,70028,70011,10053,40020,600184604[10][14]
2Lake HuronOntarioMichigan59,60023,00036,00014,00023,6009,100177581[10][14]
3Lake ErieOntarioMichigan / New York / Ohio / Pennsylvania25,7009,90012,8004,90012,9005,000174571[10][14]
4Lake OntarioOntarioNew York18,9607,32010,0003,9008,9603,46075246[10][14]
5Lake of the WoodsOntario / ManitobaMinnesota4,3501,6803,1501,2201,2007503231,060[10][18]
6Lake ChamplainQuebecNew York / Vermont1,13043578301,05040529–3095–100[32][33]
7Lake St. ClairOntarioMichigan1,114430175574[10][32]
8Rainy LakeOntarioMinnesota9323603381,109[12][32]
9Lake MemphremagogQuebecVermont1023977302610[32][34]
10Ross LakeBritish ColumbiaWashington47184631,519[32][35]
11Osoyoos LakeBritish ColumbiaWashington23915683[32][36]
12Waterton LakeAlbertaMontana1041,2904,230[32][37]

References

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  1. 1 2 "How Many Lakes Are There in Canada vs the United States?". www.worldatlas.com. WorldAtlas. Archived from the original on January 6, 2026. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  2. ↑ Mortillaro, Nicole (December 16, 2016). "Canada has the most lakes of any country, but we know very little". CBC News. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Lakes in Canada (Plain-Language Summary)". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on June 1, 2026. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Water sources: lakes". Environment and Climate Change Canada. September 10, 2017. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  5. ↑ Battram, Robert A. (2010). Canada in Crisis: An Agenda for Survival of the Nation. Trafford Publishing. p. 1. ISBN 978-1-4269-3393-6. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Physical Components of Watersheds". Atlas of Canada. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012.
  7. ↑ "TIL Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined". Reddit. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Did You Know? Canada Has More Lakes Than the Rest of the World Combined". TriviaOasis. Archived from the original on June 1, 2026. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Canada Has More Lakes Than All Other Countries Combined?". Snopes. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 "Table 15.5 Selected principal lakes, elevation and area, by province and territory". Atlas of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. October 7, 2016. Archived from the original on October 10, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Great Lakes Factsheet No. 1". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Archived from the original on February 2, 2003. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 Atlas of Canada. "Lakes". Archived from the original on April 10, 2007. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 "Reservoir Opinaca". Commission de toponymie – Quebec (in Canadian French). Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Physical Features of the Great Lakes". United States Environmental Protection Agency. October 31, 2025. Archived from the original on October 13, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Nettilling Lake". Archived from the original on June 7, 2026. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Reservoirs". Hydro-Québec. Archived from the original on August 8, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  17. 1 2 "Caniapiscau Reservoir". Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  18. 1 2 3 "Lake of the Woods". The Canadian Encyclopedia. February 7, 2006. Archived from the original on June 1, 2026. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  19. 1 2 "Répertoire des barrages (Robert-Bourassa, Barrage)". Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  20. 1 2 "Albanel-Mistassini-and-Waconichi Lakes Wildlife Reserve". Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  21. 1 2 Varga, Tamas. "Island in Lake on Island in Lake on Island in Lake: This Is the World's Only 5th Order Recursive Island". www.earthlymission.com. Earthly Mission. Archived from the original on June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Répertoire des barrages - Laforge-1, Barrage". Ministry of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Nechako Reservoir". BC Geographical Names. Government of British Columbia – B.C. Geographical Names Office (BCGNO).
  24. 1 2 "The Largest Lakes in Canada by Province or Territory". WorldAtlas. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Répertoire des barrages - Laforge-1, Barrage". Ministry of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Réservoir La Grande 4". Commission de toponymie – Quebec (in Canadian French). Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Lac Tasiujaq" (in Canadian French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Archived from the original on February 16, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Répertoire des barrages (Outardes-4)" (in Canadian French). Archived from the original on February 11, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Réservoir de la Paix des Braves" (in Canadian French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Hydro-Québec - Baskatong Reservoir". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  31. ↑ "World Lake Database (Lake Diefenbaker)". World Lake Database. International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC). Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Transboundary Waters". Archived from the original on March 17, 2026. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Lake Champlain Lake Level – King St. Ferry Dock (1977–2006)". NOAA.gov. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Lake Memphremagog". Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Ross Lake". Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Osoyoos Lake: A Few Facts & Figures". Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Waterton Lakes National Park". Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
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