Redberry Lake (Saskatchewan)
{{Short description|Salt lake in Saskatchewan, Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=June 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Redberry Lake
| image = File:Redberry Lake.jpg
| image_size = 255
| alt = View of Redberry Lake
| caption = Redberry Lake
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = RM of Redberry No. 435, Saskatchewan
| coords = {{coord|52|42|N|107|10|W|display=title,inline}}
| type = Salt lake
| inflow = Marshy Creek, natural springs
| outflow = None
| catchment =
| basin_countries = Canada
| length = {{cvt|9.7|km}}
| width = {{cvt|9.7|km}}
| area = {{cvt|5169|ha}}
| depth = +/- {{cvt|11|m}}
| max-depth = {{cvt|18|m}}
| volume =
| residence_time =
| shore = {{cvt|53|km}}
| elevation = {{cvt|507|m}}
| islands = {{hlist|Gramiak Island|Pelican Island|Gull Island|Old Tern Island|New Tern Island}}
| cities = None
| pushpin_map = Saskatchewan#Canada
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Saskatchewan
| pushpin_map_alt =
}}
Redberry Lake{{cite web |title=Redberry Lake |url=https://toponymes.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/HATQE|website=Canadian Geographical Names Database |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=1 December 2022}} is a kettle salt lake near Hafford in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Named after the buffaloberry, it is a medium-sized saline lake within an area characterized by mostly fresh water aquatic environments. The lake makes up the core protected area of the Redberry Lake (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserve and is a federal bird sanctuary of the same name. It is also an Important Bird Area (IBA) of Canada and its northern most island is the location of the provincial Redberry Wildlife Refuge ({{Coord|52.7001|-107.2006|display=inline}}).{{cite web |title=Redberry Wildlife Refuge|url=https://toponymes.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/HAWBN|website=Canadian Geographical Names Database |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=10 June 2024}} A small regional park is situated at the north-west corner of the lake. The countryside surrounding Redberry Lake is typical of the aspen parkland biome of which it is a part.{{cite web |title=Redberry Lake Biosphere Region |url=https://redberrylake.ca/ |website=Redberry Lake |access-date=1 December 2022}}{{cite web |title=Redberry Lake Fishing Map |url=https://www.gpsnauticalcharts.com/main/ca_sk_redberry_lake__sk-redberry-lake-nautical-chart.html |website=GPS Nautical Charts |publisher=Bist LLC. |access-date=11 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=Redberry Lake |url=https://www.anglersatlas.com/place/690510/redberry-lake |publisher=Angler's Atlas |access-date=11 June 2024}}
Over the past several decades, Redberry Lake water levels have been declining and the salt concentrations increasing. With the declining levels, the shoreline length has been decreasing and the size of the islands in the lake have been increasing. In 1957, a new island — New Tern Island — appeared. In the 1940s, the salt content was low enough that there was a thriving commercial whitefish industry at the lake.
Lake levels and salinity
Redberry Lake water levels have been steadily declining and getting saltier over the past several decades. In 1974, the surface of the lake had an elevation of {{cvt|515|m}} and an area of {{cvt|53.42|km2}}. That compares to {{cvt|507|m}} and {{cvt|51.69|km2}}{{cite web |last1=Siemens |first1=Matthew |title=Redberry Lake |url=https://sasklakes.ca/redberry-lake/ |publisher=Sask Lakes |access-date=11 June 2024}} in the mid-2020s. In 1926, the salt concentration was 12g/L and by 1988 that had doubled to 24g/L. The increase was attributed to "declining lake depth during drought". Magnesium, sodium, and sulphate make up most of the salt in Redberry Lake.
In 1940–41 with the salt content at only 15g/L, Donald Rawson{{cite web |last1=Hammer |first1=U. Theodore |title=Rawson, Donald Strathearn (1905-61) |url=https://esask.uregina.ca/entry/rawson_donald_strathearn_1905-_61.html |website=ESask |publisher=University of Regina |access-date=11 June 2024}} from the University of Saskatchewan's biology department stocked Redberry Lake with whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis). The fish thrived and in 1946 a commercial fishery was established. By 1981, though, the salt content had reached 20g/L and the fish could not survive, thus ending the fishery.{{cite web |last1=Hammer |first1=U. Theodore |title=Redberry Lake |url=https://esask.uregina.ca/entry/redberry_lake.html |website=ESask |publisher=University of Regina |access-date=11 June 2024}}
Redberry Lake IBA
The Redberry Lake (SK 005) Important Bird Area (IBA) of Canada{{cite web |title=Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas |url=https://www.naturesask.ca/what-we-do/important-bird-areas |website=Nature Saskatchewan |access-date=1 December 2022}} encompasses the entire lake and much of the surrounding shoreline. The lake and its islands are important nesting areas for birds such as American white pelicans, piping plovers, and whooping cranes. The total area protected is {{convert|136.17|km2}}.{{cite web |title=Redberry Lake |url=https://www.ibacanada.org/site.jsp?siteID=SK005&lang=en&siteID=SK005&lang=en |website=IBA Canada |publisher=Birds Canada |access-date=1 December 2022}}
Redberry Lake Regional Park
Redberry Lake Regional Park ({{Coord|52.7120|-107.217|display=inline}}),{{cite web |title=Redberry Lake Regional Park Lake |url=https://toponymes.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/HAWIM|website=Canadian Geographical Names Database |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=1 December 2022}} which was founded in 1969, offers camping, golfing, swimming, hiking, boating, and many bird watching opportunities. Although there are no sport fish in the lake itself, the park has installed a small earthen dam on a creek which flows into the lake, creating a freshwater trout pond.{{cite web |title=Redberry Lake |url=https://saskregionalparks.ca/park/redberry-lake/ |website=Regional Parks of Saskatchewan |publisher=Saskatchewan Regional Parks |access-date=19 August 2023}}{{cite web |title=Redberry Lake Regional Park |url=https://www.brmbmaps.com/explore/canada/saskatchewan/redberry-no-435/redberry-lake-regional-park/78345 |website=BRMB Maps |publisher=Mussio Ventures Ltd. |access-date=11 June 2024}} The golf course, built in 1971, is a 9-hole, par 35 course. It has sand greens and is 2,304 yards.{{cite web |title=Redberry Lake Regional Park Golf Course |url=https://www.golfpass.com/travel-advisor/courses/28466-redberry-lake-regional-park-golf-course |website=GolfPass |access-date=19 August 2023}}
Access to the park and its amenities is from Highway 40.{{cite web |title=Redberry Lake Regional Park |url=https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/2926/redberry-lake-regional-park |website=Tourism Saskatchewan |publisher=Government of Saskatchewan |access-date=11 June 2024}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Canada topic|List of lakes of}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Lakes of Saskatchewan
Category:Biosphere reserves of Canada
Category:Redberry No. 435, Saskatchewan
Category:Migratory Bird Sanctuaries of Canada
Category:Protected areas of Saskatchewan
Category:Division No. 16, Saskatchewan
Category:Important Bird Areas of Saskatchewan