LAKE WINNIPEG. 47 



Dauphin, south of Lake Winnipegosis and tributary to it; and Lake St. 

 Martin, on the Fairford or Little Saskatchewan, River, the outlet of Lakes 

 Manitoba and Winnipegosis. 



Many other lakes of still smaller size, but ranging up to several miles 

 in extent, are scattered here and there on all this northern part of the lied 

 of Lake Agassiz. Such small lakes are also frequent on its southeastern 

 part, in northern Minnesota, eastward from Roseau, Thief, Mud, and Maple 

 lakes, besides the three large lakes of that district. Rainy Lake, the Lake of 

 the Woods, and Red Lake. 



Lake Winnipeg. — The length of Lake Winnipeg is about 250 miles, 

 trending from south-southeast to north-north^vest, while the maximum 

 width of its southern part is about 25 miles, and of its northern part 60 

 miles. Its area is approximately 8,500 square miles, being intermediate in 

 extent between Lakes Ontario and Erie. Eighty-five miles from its south 

 end, Lake Winnipeg is reduced to a strait 2 to 4 miles wide, \vhicli extends 

 northwesterly. 12 miles, terminating at the cape called Dog Head. The 

 narrowest part of the strait, scarcely exceeding a mile in width, is at this 

 cape. Here tlie strait opens into the northern and main portion of the 

 lake, which includes five-sixths of its area. 



The elevation of Lake Winnipeg, determined by the survey for tlie 

 Canadian Pacific Railway, is 710 feet above the sea. Its depth, according 

 to Mr. J. Hoyes Panton, nowhere exceeds 65 feet. "The shallowness of 

 this comparatively large body of water," as Mr. Panton writes, "accounts 

 for its treachei'ous nature, and explains how on many occasions it has 

 proved a disastrous waterway to the freighting boats of bygone days. As 

 you sit upon the deck of the steamer, tlireading its way among the islands, 

 you are surprised at the tortuous course made, when water seems on every 

 side and no shore near. So shallow is the lake that many places miles 

 from land are not covered with more than 6 or 7 feet of water. It is only 

 safe to exjDerienced captains, thoroughly acquainted with the concealed 

 channels that afford a safe course at a distance from the shore.'" On 

 account of this slight depth, the water of most parts of the lake is com- 



' "Notes on the geology of some islauds in Lake Winnipeg." Transactions of the Historical and 

 Scientific Society of Manitoba, January 28. 1886. 



