Lac des Chats, lake in Ontario and Quebec, Canada
Lac des Chats is a large reservoir formed by the Chats Falls Dam along the provincial border between Ontario and Quebec, with waters fed and drained by the Ottawa River. The lake stretches across a considerable length, with an average depth of about 16 feet (5 meters), dotted with small islands and sandbars that create a varied shoreline.
The Chats Falls were a remarkable sight with a waterfall dropping about 35 feet before the dam was built in 1932, creating the reservoir as it exists today. The dam's construction ended regular boat cruises that had departed from Arnprior to view the falls, shifting the area from a navigable waterway to a controlled hydroelectric system.
The lake's name means Lake of Cats in English, referring to the large catfish that once thrived abundantly in these waters. The surrounding communities like Arnprior have built a relaxed way of life around it, where the lake serves as a gathering place for families and a connection to nature passed down through generations.
The lake is best reached by car, with boat launches available on the Ontario side near Arnprior for fishing and water activities. The most accessible areas are the eastern shores near the dam and northern shores, while western sections become more challenging to navigate due to numerous small islands.
An old folklore tale from the 1880s describes a mysterious lake creature reportedly over 10 feet long that supposedly attacked a boat named the Levi Young. It was eventually revealed to be a large king snake found on shore, giving the local legend an amusing and very ordinary explanation.
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