Lake Wilcox

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Wilcox
image_lake =
caption_lake =
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location = Richmond Hill, Ontario
coords = coord|43|53.65|N|79|25.60|W|type:waterbody_region:CA-ON|display=inline,title
type = Kettle lake
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catchment =
basin_countries = Canada
length =
width =
area = 55.6 ha
depth =
max-depth = 17.4 m
volume =
residence_time =
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frozen =

Lake Wilcox is a kettle lake in Richmond Hill, Ontario. The lake measures 1.5 kilometers across and covers 55.6 hectares. It is the largest kettle lake in the Oak Ridges Moraine.cite web|url = http://www.town.richmond-hill.on.ca/subpage.asp?pageid=prc_lake_wilcox&textonly=|title = Lake Wilcox|publisher = Town of Richmond Hill] Lake Wilcox, Lake St. George and their associated wetlands form a "provincially significant wetland". [cite web|url = http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/documents/winter2004/NHIC_NEWS_WINTER2004.pdf|title = Decade of Achievement] The lake is named after W. Wilcox Baldwin, a settler of the area who owned an estate situated on Yonge Street.cite book|title = Explore Centennial Richmond Hill|date = 1973|publisher = Richmond Hill Public Library]

Geography

Lake Wilcox is part of the Humber River drainage system, draining into the East Humber River. The drainage basin of the lake covers 260 hectares. The maximum depth of the lake is 17.4 meters.

Wetlands complex

Lake Wilcox, Lake St. George, Swan Lake and Haynes Lake and their associated marshes, swamps and forests form a large wetland designed a Provincially Significant Wetland. [cite web|url = http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/areas/areas_report.cfm?areaid=18494|title = Natural Areas Report: WILCOX - ST. GEORGE WETLAND COMPLEX] The total complex has some ninety individually identified wetlands, covering 102 hectares. 57% of the complex is classified as swamp, 39% as marsh and 4% as bog.

Ecology

Beginning in 1997, the town of Richmond Hill undertook a project to restore the lake's condition, which had degraded due to pollution and development. Septic systems which had previous drained into the lake were connected to sewers and lake lungs have been installed to increase oxygenation of the water. High phosphorus levels in the lake remain problematic.cite web|url = http://www.yorkregion.com/What's%20on/Attractions/article/37817|title = Lake Wilcox, Richmond Hill|author = Chelsea Edgell]

Vegetation

The native coniferous trees in Lake Wilcox's watershed include White Spruce, Eastern Hemlock, White Pine, Red Pine, Eastern White Cedar and Tamarack.cite web|url = http://www.richmondhill.ca/documents/heritage_lake_wilcox.pdf|title = Lake Wilcox & You|publisher = Town of Richmond Hill] The native deciduous trees include Red Maple, Silver Maple, Sugar Maple, Red Oak, White Oak, Burr Oak, Balsam Poplar, Trembling Aspen, Large-Tooth Aspen, White Ash, Black Ash, Blue Ash, Green Ash, Basswood, Paper Birch, Pin Cherry and Black Cherry. The native wildflowers include Purple Coneflower, Yellow Coneflower, Flat-topped Aster, Heath Aster, Smooth Aster, Silky Aster, Ox-eyed Susan, Black-eyed Susan, Bluebeard Lily, Wood Lily, Trout Lily, Common Strawberry, Common Milkweed, Blazing Star, Fireweed, Star Flower, Wild Columbine and Wild Bergamot. Aquatic vegatation native to the lake itself include Bullrushes, cattails, Water Arums, Water Plantains, Water Lilies, Arrowheads, Blue Flag Irises, Smartweeds and Pickeral Weeds. Native shrubs found around the lake include Speckled Alder, Smooth Serviceberry, Allegheny Serviceberry, Nannyberry, Red Osier, Gray Dogwood, Silky Dogwood, Broad-leaved Meadowsweet, Swamp Rose, Spicebush, Buttonbush, Shining Willow, Slender Willow, Black Willow and Pussywillow.

Animal life

Indigenous animal life includes Muskrats, Great Horned Owls and Painted Turtles.

Human usage

The town of Richmond Hill maintains three recreational parks along the shores of Lake Wilcox. Jesse Venek Park and North Shore Parkette are small municipal parks with picnicing area. The Fish & Wildlife Sanctuary/Pike Hatchery is left in a natural state. The lake itself is used for fishing, swimming, windsurfing and boating.

References