Buffer Lake

{{Short description|Lake in Saskatchewan, Canada}}

{{Use Canadian English|date=April 2023}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}

{{Infobox body of water

| name = Buffer Lake

| image =

| image_size = 255px

| caption =

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| location = RM of Grant No. 372, Saskatchewan

| pushpin_map = Saskatchewan#Canada

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Saskatchewan

| coords = {{coord|52.3834|-106.0006|region:CA-SK_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}

| type = Salt lake

| part_of = Saskatchewan River drainage basin

| inflow =

| rivers =

| outflow = None

| catchment =

| basin_countries = Canada

| length =

| width =

| area = {{cvt|2602|ha}}

| depth =

| max-depth =

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| residence_time =

| shore = {{cvt|37|km}}{{cite web |last1=Siemens |first1=Matthew |title=Buffer Lake |url=https://sasklakes.ca/buffer-lake/ |publisher=Sask Lakes |access-date=20 November 2024}}

| elevation = {{cvt|508|m}}

| islands =

| cities = None

}}

Buffer Lake{{cite web |title=Buffer Lake |url=https://toponymes.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/HAKPI|website=Canadian Geographical Names Database |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=30 April 2023}} is large, shallow salt lake in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.{{cite web |title=Buffer Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada |url=https://www.mindat.org/feature-5910874.html |website=Mindat |publisher=Mindat |access-date=30 April 2023}} The lake is mostly dependent on spring run-off and seasonal rains to maintain water levels. During periods of drought, extensive mudflats form around the lake. The lake is in the Rural Municipality of Grant No. 372, about {{convert|5|km}} north-east of Vonda.

Buffer Lake (SK 076) is an Important Bird Area (IBA) of Canada that covers an area of {{cvt|129.72|km2}}. It is important habitat for the piping plover and whooping crane. Five gravelly beaches along the western and northern shores have been designated as critical piping plover habitat and as such, the shoreline up to the highwater mark is protected from development. Other birds found at the lake include the red-necked phalarope, Baird's sandpiper, Hudsonian godwit, sanderling, and the buff-breasted sandpiper.{{cite web |title=Buffer Lake |url=https://www.ibacanada.ca/site.jsp?siteID=SK076 |website=IBA Canada |publisher=Birds Canada |access-date=30 April 2023}}