Waterhen Lake (Saskatchewan)
{{Short description|Lake in Saskatchewan, Canada}}
{{For|the lake in Manitoba|Waterhen Lake (Manitoba)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=December 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Waterhen Lake
| lake =
| caption =
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = {{flag|Saskatchewan}}
| coords = {{coord|54|28|0|N|108|25|3|W|region:CA_type:waterbody_scale:1500000|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = Saskatchewan#Canada
| pushpin_label_position = none
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Waterhen Lake in Saskatchewan
| type =
| inflow = Waterhen River
(from Lac des Îles)
| outflow = Waterhen River
(to Beaver River)
| catchment =
| basin_countries = Canada
| length =
| width =
| area = {{cvt|10023.2|ha}}
| depth =
| max-depth = {{cvt|30.5|m}}
| volume =
| residence_time =
| shore = {{cvt|461.01|km}}
| elevation = {{cvt|469|m}}
| islands =
| cities = Waterhen Lake First Nation
}}
Waterhen Lake{{Cite web|url=http://www4.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/HAMOF|title=Place names - Waterhen Lake|first=Natural Resources Canada|last=Government of Canada|website=www4.rncan.gc.ca}} is a lake in Meadow Lake Provincial Park in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, located about {{convert|40|km}} north of the city of Meadow Lake.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gpsnauticalcharts.com/main/ca_sk_waterhen_lake_sk-waterhen-lake-nautical-chart.html|title = Waterhen Lake Fishing Map | Nautical Charts App}}{{google maps|title=Google Length Calculator|url=https://www.google.ca/maps/@54.5165757,-108.4240195,10z?hl=en|accessdate=February 22, 2018}} The lake is situated along the course of the Waterhen River in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada.{{cite web |title=Boreal Plains Ecozone |url=http://ecozones.ca/english/zone/BorealPlains/index.html |website=ecozones |access-date=31 December 2021}}
At just over {{cvt|10000|ha}} in size, it is the second largest lake at least partially within Meadow Lake Provincial Park — the largest being Cold Lake at the far western end of the park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/provincialpark/2965/meadow-lake-provincial-park#sort=relevancy|title = Meadow Lake Provincial Park | Tourism Saskatchewan}}
Waterhen Indian Reserve No. 130, the reserve community of the Waterhen Lake First Nation, surrounds most of the eastern portion of the lake{{cite map|author = MapArt|author-link = MapArt|year = 2007 |title = Saskatchewan Road Atlas |scale = 1:540,000 |location = Oshawa, ON |publisher = Peter Heiler Ltd |page = 11 |isbn = 1-55368-020-0 |edition = 2007 }} and the western half of the lake and the far eastern shore are in Meadow Lake Provincial Park. Highways 904, 941, and 951 provide access to the lake.
Description
Waterhen Lake's primary tributary, the Waterhen River, flows east from Lac des Îles for about {{cvt|65|km}} into the southern shore of Waterhen Lake. The Waterhen River then flows out of the lake at the north-east corner in a northeasterly direction for approximately {{cvt|50|km}} into Beaver River, which flows into the Churchill River at Lac Île-à-la-Crosse. The Churchill River is a major river in the Hudson Bay drainage basin.
At the point where the Waterhen River flows into Waterhen Lake, it's a shallow, marshy delta with several other smaller lakes in the vicinity, including Niven Lake, which both Matkin and Iskwayach Lakes flow into, and Redmond Lake. Otter Creek, a tributary of Waterhen River, also flows into the delta.{{Cite web|url=http://www4.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/HANGY|title=Place names - Otter Creek|first=Natural Resources Canada|last=Government of Canada|website=www4.rncan.gc.ca}} at the eastern end, Jarvis Lake opens up into Waterhen Lake. At the northern end of the lake, two notable tributaries flow into the lake in another marshy delta. Flotten River flows in from Flotten Lake and Short Creek drains Nesootao (Twin) Lakes and Little Lake.
Recreation
Situated in a provincial park, there are many recreational opportunities at Waterhen Lake, including boating, camping, fishing, and swimming.
On the western shore of the lake there is Waterhen Lake Campground,{{cite web|url=https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/932/waterhen-lake-campground|title=Waterhen Lake Campground|website=Tourism Saskatchewan|access-date=22 January 2022}} Tawaw Cabins,{{cite web |title=Tawan Cabins |url=https://tawawcabins.com/ |website=Tawan Cabins |publisher=Tawan Cabins |access-date=29 August 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/3375/tawaw-cabins-2004-ltd|title = Tawaw Cabins 2004 Ltd | Tourism Saskatchewan}} Tawaw Outfitters, and M & N Resort.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/2876/m--n-resort|title = M N Resort | Tourism Saskatchewan}} Tawaw Cabins offers 14 cabins, 27 campsites, showers, washrooms, beach access, boat rentals, and a store at the outfitters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/3260/tawaw-outfitters|title=Tawaw Outfitters | Tourism Saskatchewan}} M & N also has beach access with rentals, fuel, long term and short term cabin rentals, and a store.
Fish species
Fish commonly found in the lake include the northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, and burbot.{{Cite web|url=https://www.anglersatlas.com/place/690686/waterhen-lake|title = Angler's Atlas}}{{Cite web|url=https://fishbrain.com/fishing-waters/f28Rz7Wt/waterhen-lake|title = Fishing in Waterhen Lake}} There is a custom limit for walleye on the lake of three and only one may be over {{cvt|55|cm}}.{{Cite web |last=Siemens |first=Matthew |date=February 17, 2025 |title=Fishing on Waterhen Lake |url=https://sasklakes.ca/waterhen-lake-central-zone-1/#fishing}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Canada topic|List of lakes of}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Lakes of Saskatchewan