Codette Lake
{{Short description|Reservoir in Saskatchewan, Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=December 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Codette Lake
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = Saskatchewan
| pushpin_map = Saskatchewan#Canada
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Saskatchewan
| coords = {{coord|53.2538|-104.4649|region:CA-SK_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}
| type = Reservoir
| inflow = Saskatchewan River
| rivers =
| outflow = Saskatchewan River
| catchment =
| part_of = Saskatchewan River drainage basin
| basin_countries = Canada
| length = {{cvt|35|km}}
| width =
| area = {{cvt|4615.5|ha}}
| depth =
| max-depth = {{cvt|38.1|m}}
| volume =
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| shore = {{cvt|224.2|km}}
| elevation = {{cvt|340|m}}
| islands = {{hlist|Thomson Island}}
| cities =
}}
Codette Lake,{{cite web |title= Codette Lake |url=https://toponymes.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/HAAPW|website=Canadian Geographical Names Database |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=2 August 2023}} which was named after Métis fur trader Baptiste Codette, is a reservoir in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.{{cite web |title=Maps showing Codette Lake, Saskatchewan |url=https://www.canmaps.com/topo/places/h/haapw.htm |website=Yellow Maps |access-date=2 August 2023}} The lake was impounded in 1986 with the construction of the Francois-Finlay Dam across the Saskatchewan River about {{convert|5|km}} upstream from the town of Nipawin.{{cite web |title=Codette Reservoir Fishing Map |url=https://www.gpsnauticalcharts.com/main/ca_sk_codette_reservoir__sk-codette-reservoir-nautical-chart.html |website=GPS Nautical Charts |publisher=Bist LLC. |access-date=2 August 2023}} The dam is the site of the Nipawin Hydroelectric Station.{{cite web |title=Nipawin Hydroelectric Station |url=https://tourismnipawin.com/hydroelectric-dams/ |website=Tourism Nipawin |date=16 May 2022 |publisher=Town of Nipawin |access-date=2 August 2023}}{{cite web |title=Nipawin Hydroelectric Station |url=https://www.saskpower.com/Our-Power-Future/Our-Electricity/Electrical-System/System-Map/Nipawin-Hydroelectric-Station |website=SaskPower |access-date=2 August 2023}} Downstream from Codette Lake is Tobin Lake, which is another man-made lake along the course of the Saskatchewan River. It was created in 1963 with the construction of the E.B. Campbell Dam.{{cite web |last1=McLennan |first1=David |title=Nipawin |url=https://esask.uregina.ca/entry/nipawin.jsp |website=The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan |publisher=University of Regina |access-date=2 August 2023}}
The creation of Codette Lake submerged Bushfield Flats, which was an important site for First Nations and an historic trading post. The lake's northern shoreline is in the RM of Torch River No. 488 while the southern shore is in the RM of Nipawin No. 487.{{cite web |title=Where is Codette Lake in Canada? |url=https://geotargit.com/index.php?qcountry_code=CA&qregion_code=11&qcity=Codette%20Lake |website=Geotarget |access-date=2 August 2023}}
Bushfield Flats
The Bushfield Flats, which were submerged under Codette Lake when the dam was built, was an important site for local Indians and the site of the trading post built by James Finaly and Francois LeBlanc in 1768. The Francois-Finlay Dam was named after the pair. The flats were directly upstream from the current site of the dam on a peninsula that jutted out into the Saskatchewan River. These flats were the original "meeting place" for the town of Nipawin's namesake. The flats were named after William Bushfield, a local farmer. Prior to the flooding of the lake in 1986, there were two archaeological digs there. The West Site had a pre-historic Cree encampment while the East Site showed evidence "that the area had been an important Indian stopover for centuries".{{cite web |title=Nipawin, Town of |url=https://www.saskhistory.ca/nipawin-town-of/ |website=Saskatchewan History Album |publisher=SaskHistory |access-date=2 August 2023}}{{cite web |title=History of Nipawin and Area |url=http://www.nipawin.com/history.cfm |website=Nipawin |publisher=Town of Nipawin |access-date=2 August 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Furniss |first1=O. C. |title=The Canadian Historical Review |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/624471 |website=Project MUSE |access-date=2 August 2023}} Bushfield's Landing — a marina located on the lake's southern shore — is near the original site.
Recreation
Wapiti Valley Regional Park straddles the lake near the western end. The park has downhill and cross-country skiing in the winter and camping in the summer. The park is accessed from Highways 6 and 789.{{cite web |title=Wapiti Valley Regional Park - Wapiti Valley Ski & Board Resort |url=https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/2992/wapiti-valley-regional-park---wapiti-valley-ski-hill |website=Tourism Saskatchewan |publisher=Government of Saskatchewan |access-date=2 August 2023}}
About {{convert|5|km}} south of Nipawin along Highway 35 is Francois Finlay Hydroelectric Dam Vista Viewpoint. The viewpoint is on a plateau and has views of Codette Lake, the dam and power station, and the gorge.{{cite web |title=Francois Finlay Hydroelectric Dam Vista Viewpoint |url=https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/3063/francois-finlay-hydroelectric-dam-vista-viewpoint |website=Tourism Saskatchewan |publisher=Government of Saskatchewan |access-date=2 August 2023}}
On the southern shore of the lake, about {{convert|11.5|km}} west of Codette, is Smit's Campground and Blue Winds Fish n' Tours. Access is from Highway 789.{{cite web |title=Smits Beach |url=https://smitsbeach.com/ |website=Smits Beach |access-date=2 August 2023}}{{cite web |title=Blue Winds Fish n' Tours |url=https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/1319/blue-winds-fish-n-tours |website=Tourism Saskatchewan |publisher=Government of Saskatchewan |access-date=2 August 2023}}{{cite web |title=Blue Winds Fish N' Tours |url=http://codettelake.com/ |website=Codette Lake |publisher=Blue Winds Fish N' Tours |access-date=2 August 2023}}
Fish species
Fish commonly found in Codette Lake include walleye, northern pike, burbot, yellow perch, white sucker, goldeye, Lake sturgeon, sauger, and white sturgeon.{{cite web |title=Codette lake |url=https://www.anglersatlas.com/place/109487/codette-lake |website=Angler's Atlas |access-date=2 August 2023}}{{cite web |title=Codette Lake |url=https://fishbrain.com/fishing-waters/phgpyC7w/codette-lake |website=Fishbrain |access-date=2 August 2023}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Canada topic|List of lakes of}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Lakes of Saskatchewan