Lake Simcoe | |
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![]() Satellite view of Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching directly north of it | |
Location | Ontario |
Coordinates | 44°26′12″N 079°20′21″W / 44.43667°N 79.33917°W |
Type | Freshwater |
Etymology | Named for Captain John Simcoe, RN |
Primary inflows | Holland River, Talbot River |
Primary outflows | Severn River |
Catchment area | 2,840 km2 (1,100 sq mi)[1] |
Basin countries | Canada |
Max. length | 30 km (19 mi)[2] |
Max. width | 25 km (16 mi)[2] |
Surface area | 722 km2 (279 sq mi)[3] |
Average depth | 15 m (49 ft)[4] |
Max. depth | 41 m (135 ft)[2] |
Water volume | 11.6 km3 (2.8 cu mi)[1] |
Shore length1 | 240 kilometres (150 mi)[4] |
Surface elevation | 219 m (719 ft)[5] |
Islands | Georgina Island, Thorah Island, Strawberry Island, Snake Island, Fox Island, Helmers Island, Grape Island |
Settlements | Orillia, Barrie |
References | [citation needed] |
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. |
Lake Simcoe is a lake in southern Ontario, Canada, the fourth-largest lake wholly in the province, after Lake Nipigon, Lac Seul, and Lake Nipissing.[6] At the time of the first European contact in the 17th century, the lake was called Ouentironk ("Beautiful Water") by the native Wendat/Ouendat (Huron) people. It was also known as Lake Taronto until it was renamed by John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, in memory of his father, Captain John Simcoe of the Royal Navy. In Anishinaabemowin, the historical language of the First Nations living around this lake, namely Anishinaabek of Rama and Georgina Island First Nations, the lake is called Zhooniyaang-zaaga'igan, meaning "Silver Lake".[7]