- Lake Abitibi
Infobox_lake
lake_name = Lake Abitibi
image_lake = Lake Abitibi 79.72W 48.75N.jpg
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location =Cochrane District, Ontario Abitibi-Témiscamingue
coords = coord|48|40|N|79|45|W|type:waterbody_region:CA|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow =Abitibi River
catchment =
basin_countries = Canada
length =
width =
area = convert|931|km2|sqmi|abbr=on
depth =
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = convert|265|m|ft|abbr=on
islands = over 900
cities =Lake Abitibi ( _fr. lac Abitibi) is a
lake in northeasternOntario and westernQuebec ,Canada . The lake is separated in two distinct portions by a short narrows, making it actually 2 lakes. Its total area is 931 km², and net area 903 km² [ [http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/learningresources/facts/lakes.html Atlas of Canada] ] . The lake is shallow and studded with islands. Its shores and vicinity are covered with small timber.Its outlet is the
Abitibi River which empties intoJames Bay through the Moose River. "Abitibi" means "middle waters" inAlgonquian , a reference to its geographic location halfway between James Bay and theOttawa River . Rivers to the north flow north towardsHudson Bay and rivers to the south flow south towards theSaint Lawrence River .One of the first Europeans in this area was Pierre de Troyes, who built a post on Lake Abitibi when he was on his way to capture English HBC posts on James Bay in 1686 [ [http://www.canadianencyclopedia.ca/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0000013 The Canadian Encyclopedia] ] .
It was formerly used by the
Hudson's Bay Company as part of a canoe route to the fur lands of the north. The construction of theGrand Trunk Pacific Railway (nowCanadian National Railway ) through this district made it of some importance at the start of the 20th century.Portions of Lake Abitibi's western shores and a section of the Abitibi River are part of the
Abitibi-de-Troyes Provincial Park .References
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